Hoquiam Receives Arbor Day Foundation Accolades

Hoquiam, WA - The City of Hoquiam received notice that for the third year in a row, they have earned a Tree City USA Designation from the Arbor Day Foundation because of our commitment to urban forestry. 

For the second consecutive year, the city also earned the Arbor Day Growth Award for demonstrating progress in our community forestry program.  The prestigious Growth Award honors environmental improvements and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities. Hoquiam is one of 77 cities in Washington to earn Tree City designation, but is the only one on the Olympic Peninsula. 

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. 

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“Communities that are honored with a Tree City USA designation and a Growth Award make a strong commitment to planting and caring for trees, and we applaud their efforts,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation.  “We also commend a community’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing needed care for its trees.  They recognize that trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits for the community every day.” 

Linden L. Mead, Urban & Community Forestry Specialist with the Washington Department of Natural Resources presented Mayor Jack Durney with the awards on April 15^th at Hoquiam’s annual Arbor Day Celebration.

This year, the celebration was highlighted by planting trees, rhododendrons  and other shrubs  along Prospect Avenue.  This task was accomplished with the assistance of Brandon Kelly of the Hoquiam Boy Scouts, Taylor Strom, Jenifer Parks of the Hoquiam Girl Scouts, and Alex Tomko, Hayden Layng, Sage Chesterman, Brandon Emry, Cameron Webster, Josh Burgher and Michael Volkman of the  Hoquiam Cub Scouts Pack 23.

In 2011, the City will be planting additional trees along Levee, 6^th and J Streets as part of the downtown sidewalk replacement project, in Sunset Memorial Cemetery and along Emerson Avenue.  

“I am very proud of the progress our council, staff and the Urban Forestry Board have made to beautify our City with street trees fulfilling one of the goals from Hometown Hoquiam,” said Mayor Jack Durney.   By building and maintaining our urban canopy, we are leaving a legacy for future generations to enjoy.