Umatilla named "2023 Tree City USA", Arbor Day events approaching

UMATILLA, Ore. -- The Arbor Day Foundation named Umatilla a "2023 Tree City USA" to highlight its commitment to urban forest management.

To be named a Tree City USA, cities will have to meet certain criteria including maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and hosting an Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation.

"Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand," said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees being planted and care for by Umatilla are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life." Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it's through volunteer engagement or public education."

In collaboration with Amazon Web Services and the Arbor Day Foundation, the City of Umatilla plans to plant more than 100 trees in celebration of Arbor Day.

There will be two Arbor Day events to enhance the greenery in Umatilla.

The first event will be the 6th Street Tree Planting on April 25, at Village Square Park.

The second event is scheduled for April 26th at the Golf Course for Arbor Day activities. At this event there will be a community tree giveaway while supplies lasts. The only requirement is to give an address to where the tree will be planted. The trees stand about four to five feet tall.

The community tree giveaway will be at Hash Park, located at 440 Pendleton Avenue, Umatilla from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Parks and Recreation Coordinator Noemy Vega said, "We are very happy that Umatilla's Arbor Day Celebration has continued to grow thanks to support from our community. With the tree planting taking place on Thursday, we are very excited for what we have planned for the students of McNary Heights Elementary School on Friday. By having the younger generation involved in the tree planting and teaching them the importance of taking care of our community we hope that they can look back and see the impact that supporting their community can have."

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