Nevada Tree City USA Program

​The Tree City USA Program recognizes towns and counties across the nation that have implemented successful urban forestry programs. Gaining and retaining Tree City USA recognition is an award a community’s citizens and tree workers can take pride in. Equally important is the improved health and longevity of their community’s trees. Managing city trees often takes a back seat to other public issues concerning a community, but Nevada’s Tree City USA’s are making tree awareness education and healthy trees a top priority. More than 45% of Nevada’s population live in a Tree City USA.

Nevada’s Tree Cities

• Boulder City (1990 – 2001 and since 2009)
• Carson City (since 1994)*
• Elko (since 2007)
• Ely (since 2008)
• Fallon Naval Air Station (since 2010)
• Town of Gardnerville (since 2002)*
• Genoa (since 2014)
• Henderson (since 1991)*
• Incline Village (since 2005)
• Las Vegas (1989 – 1998, and since 2002)
• Nellis AFB (since 1994) *
• Reno (since 1982)*
• Sparks (since 1994)
• Winnemucca (since 2014)

To qualify for Tree City USA

• Designate a tree board, department, or city forester authorized by ordinance to administer the tree management program.
• Have a community tree ordinance that defines tree planting, maintenance, and who is responsible for public trees.
• Spend a minimum of $2 per capita on its tree program, which can include salaries of employees maintaining public trees, contracts for tree care, new tree planting, tree removal, pruning and planting equipment, training, management planning and tree inventories. A community’s urban forestry budget can include city or county parks, public works, neighborhood services, cemetery, school district, college, public golf course, utility companies, and highways.
• Have an Arbor Day Proclamation (usually by the Mayor) and observance, such as a public tree planting ceremony. Although, Nevada’s Governor declares the last Friday of April as Nevada’s Arbor Day, a community may proclaim a different day for their community Arbor Day.

Tree City USA is sponsored in Nevada by the Nevada Division of Forestry – Urban and Community Forestry Program, and by the National Arbor Day Foundation with support from the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

For additional information and assistance becoming a Tree City USA, contact the Nevada Division of Forestry – Urban and Community Forestry Program, at 702-486-5123, a Nevada Division of Forestry office nearest you, or the National Arbor Day Foundation at telephone 402-474-5655, http://www.arborday.org/.

* Carson City, Elko, Gardnerville, Henderson, Nellis AFB, Reno, and Sparks have also received Tree City USA Growth Awards in recognition of their continuing to grow their programs through increased levels of tree care, urban forestry planning, and education. We commend their efforts.