Howard County Receives 'Tree City' Designation Again

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — To celebrate the county being considered an Arbor Day Foundation "Tree City" for another year, Howard County's department of recreation and parks will plant 150 trees in Elkridge's Rockburn Branch Park. This year, the county has planted more than 7,000 trees countywide, including 2,020 native trees planted by residents in August that were given for free to them.

“Our 30th year as a designated ‘Tree City’ is a testament to Howard County’s commitment to a clean and sustainable environment,” Ball said. “Since taking office, Howard County has planted 51,000 new trees. Trees create environmental and economic value, improve air quality and fight climate change. As we celebrate this accomplishment, we must continue to push ourselves towards a greener future for Howard County and beyond.”

The county once again met the criteria for the Tree City designation due to the ongoing efforts of several county government agencies and the Howard County Forestry Board. These efforts included the:

• Purchase and ecological preservation of the five-acre Savage remainder property;
• Expansion of the Forest Conservation program;
• Giveaway of 2,020 native trees; and
• $1 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that will go toward the expansion of tree planting programs in Howard County.

These new initiatives compliment the county’s pre-existing tree programs, including recreation and parks’ forestry programs and the department of public works’ bureau of highways street tree program.