Celebrating 30 Years as a Tree City

Howard County is celebrating 30 years as an Arbor Day Foundation-designated “Tree City.” In honor of this achievement, Howard County Recreation & Parks planted 150 trees at Rockburn Branch Park in Elkridge. Some of these were planted by volunteers during a scaled back and socially distanced Family Volunteer Day on Nov 21st.

“Our 30th year of Tree City is a testament to Howard County’s commitment to enhance and green our community with trees” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “Trees create environmental and economic value, improve air quality and fight climate change. As we celebrate our accomplishments, we pledge to do even more going forward.”

Howard County met the criteria the designation thanks to multiple ongoing efforts across County agencies. Recent tree successes include the purchase and ecological preservation of the five-acre Savage remainder property, expansion of the Forest Conservation program, a giveaway of 2,020 trees, and a $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 existing successful tree programs,

Howard County has planted over 7,000 trees in 2020.

For more information on tree planting and conservation efforts in Howard County, visit livegreenhoward.com/land/tree-programs