'Tree City USA' Title Goes To Geneva For 23rd Time

GENEVA, IL — Geneva has been named a "Tree City USA" for the 23rd time, officials announced.

The title, which comes from the Arbor Day Foundation, is a result of Geneva's "ongoing commitment to effective urban forest management," the city said in a news release. To be called a "Tree City USA," Geneva is required to maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, observe Arbor Day, and spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry.

For the second consecutive year, Geneva also received Arbor Day Foundation's Growth Award, which recognizes milestones and annual activities that build a sustainable forestry program, according to a news release. The award is given to towns based on forestry funding, staffing and training; measuring tree inventory; urban planning; planting and protecting parkway trees; and community involvement.

One of the events that helps raise money to plant trees throughout Geneva is

The Wine, Cheese & Trees fundraiser, hosted by Geneva's Natural Resources Committee and the Geneva Park District Foundation, is one of the events that raises money for parkway trees. It took place for the 12th time in February.

Along with announcing the honor, Geneva officials also shared their plan to plant about 75 parkway trees throughout the city in late April or May depending on the weather. Last year, the city planted about 95 parkway trees in the spring, Patch reported.

Geneva offers a parkway tree replacement program that gives residents the chance to buy a new tree at half the cost, thanks to the city that pays for the other half. Forms for the initiative are available on the city's website.