Orland Park Named Tree City USA for 27th Consecutive Year- Arbor Day Foundation Plants, Nurtures and Celebrates Trees

ORLAND PARK, IL – The Village of Orland Park has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day foundation for its commitment to community forest management. This is the 27th year that Orland Park has been honored with 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 U.S. Forest Service.

To qualify for a Tree City USA, Orland Park had to meet the four standards, including having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“The Village of Orland Park is honored to again receive this designation from the Arbor Day Foundation,” said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “We’re very proud of the village’s continuous commitment to creating a pleasant environment for our community,” he added.

Orland Park’s 2012 tree initiatives included planting six large trees at area schools, distributing more than 1800 saplings to local school children and removal and replacement of Ash trees due to Emerald Ash Borer damage.

“The school kids get a kick out of having people from the village visit the schools to observe Arbor Day with them,” said Parks and Building Maintenance Director Frank Stec who oversees Orland Park’s tree programs. “They get to see a new tree being planted at their school and different grades get saplings to take home to plant each year,” he said.

John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation added,

“Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like Orland Park make smart investments in urban forests.” Rosenow added, “Trees bring shade to our home and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with the numerous economic, social and environmental benefits.”

“Our goal is take the necessary steps to preserve the environment for the generations to come,” McLaughlin said, adding “Giving tree saplings to the school children emphasizes the significance of trees within our community.”