Arbor Day

    Arbor Day

    Arbor Day is a national holiday that encourages tree planting and care. J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day in 1872 in Nebraska. One by one other states started observing this day until the whole country accepted it as a holiday. Now other countries are even observing it as it becomes apparent across the world the importance of trees. Arbor Day is celebrated each year in Iowa on the last Friday in April. For more information on Arbor Day please refer to The National Arbor Day Foundation’s website.

    All Waterloo citizens are encouraged to celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree.

    Tree City USA

    Waterloo has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to its community forest. It is the 40th year Waterloo has received this national recognition.

    The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service

    Waterloo has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA

    • Waterloo has a forestry department
    • Waterloo has a tree care ordinance
    • Waterloo has a comprehensive community forestry program
    • Waterloo has an Arbor Day observance
    “The trees we plant and care for today will cool and beautify our communities, increase property values, help clean the air and water, and conserve energy for years to come.”
    John Rosenow
    President of The National Arbor Day Foundation
    “An effective community forestry program is an ongoing process of renewal and improvement - a program of tree planting and care that continues through the years. The Tree City USA award is an excellent indication that there is a solid foundation for that process of improvement.”
    John Rosenow
    President of The National Arbor Day Foundation