La Grande named Tree City USA for 30th consecutive year
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – Oregon is sometimes called the state where the trees still outnumber the people. The City of La Grande has certainly been doing its part to help maintain that moniker, earning a Tree City USA Designation for 2023. La Grande has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for no less than 30 consecutive years. Starting in 1976, the Tree City USA program is meant to promote urban forestry and develop greener, healthier communities.
The primary criteria for a Tree City USA designation, as outlined by the Arbor Day Foundation, include, “maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry,” and “celebrating Arbor Day.” La Grande has been meeting, if not exceeding, these criteria since 1993.
