
The Nebraska Forest Service, the Nebraska Community Forestry Council, and the Arbor Day Foundation support and celebrate communities demonstrating a commitment to urban and community forestry by participating in the Tree City USA program.
This program recognizes communities, educational institutions, and electric utility companies that value the importance of trees in our cities and share these values with their partners and the general public.
“Community Forests are planted in Nebraska towns for the health, economic, and ecological benefits they provide, so it’s important to celebrate communities that embrace these benefits and encourage others to do the same” said Graham Herbst, Community Forester with the Nebraska Forest Service. “These communities are showing that trees matter, and that investing in community forests leads to healthier, more vibrant places to live.”
Each year, Tree City USA recognition is granted to Nebraska communities that meet the core standards of effective community forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and holding an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. In 2024, 95 Tree City USA communities spent $17,666,479 on community forestry and provided 10,908 hours of volunteer time. There were 6,811 public trees planted, 15,996 public trees pruned, and 6,765 public trees removed. Communities receiving Tree City USA recognition and the number of years in the Tree City USA program include:
Alliance (33), Alma (3) ,Arapahoe (29), Arnold (11), Ashland (25), Atkinson (25), Auburn (49), Bassett (25), Bayard (32), Beatrice (38), Beaver City (28), Bellevue (14), Bennington (36), Blair (42), Boys Town (39), Bridgeport (5), Central City (29), Ceresco (2), Chadron (35), Chappell (34), Cozad (28) ,Crete (34), Curtis (36), Dakota City (5), Dodge (22), Doniphan (31), Eustis (2), Fairbury (37), Falls City (33), Farnam (7), Fremont (45), Fullerton (11), Gering (35), Gordon (4), Gothenburg (37), Grand Island (39), Grant (29), Gretna (38), Hartington (34), Hastings (35), Hershey (12), Holdrege (32), Humboldt (37), Imperial (40), Johnstown (5), Julian (18), Kearney (39), Kimball (34), Laurel (22), Lavista (34), Lexington (28), Lincoln (48), McCook (40), Minden (34), Mitchell (22), Morrill (26), Nebraska City (48), Neligh (38), Newman Grove (12), Norfolk (15), North Platte (42), Ogallala (41), Omaha (47), O’Neill (40), Ord (28), Papillion (36), Plainview (30), Potter (32), Ralston (39), Red Cloud (30), Rushville (28), Schuyler (37), Scottsbluff (37), Scribner (18), Seward (43), Shelton (16), Sidney (39), South Sioux City (33), Stella (32), Sterling (9), Stromsburg (44), Superior (1), Sutherland (29), Sutton (35), Trenton (40), Valley (29), Waco (32), Wahoo (17), Wallace (25), Waterloo (18), Wausa (29), Waverly (25), Wayne (34), Wisner (30), York (35)
This year’s recognition ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Aug. 21 at Harmon Park Community Center in Kearney. The day will include the awards ceremony, information and program updates from the Nebraska Forest Service, and a keynote presentation. Registration at nfs.unl.edu/workshops