The Village of Niles is excited to announce its designation as a 2014 Tree City by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Arbor Day Foundation. This is a highly prestigious award presented to municipalities around the country that show a commitment to the betterment of their community through the planting, maintaining, and advocating of trees.
The Tree City USA program is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America. Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
Being a Tree City was a goal of the Village of Niles 2030 Comprehensive plan, and having this title will allow the Village to seek additional grants for funding of environmentally friendly projects.
“I would like to recognize our Board and staff for the valuable work they have put in for this designation, and I would hope that this title will allow us to continue in the direction of sustainable tree management,” said Mayor Andrew Przybylo.
Village Officials will make an official announcement of the designation at the Arbor Day Ceremony on April 24 and an award presentation will be made at the Board of Trustees Meeting on April 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Niles Village Hall. Because of the Village’s continued commitment to trees, Niles will now be eligible to reapply for this award annually.