Tree City USA Growth Award
The Tree City USA Growth Award recognizes Rhode Island Tree City USA communities for improved tree care, planning, partnerships, and public engagement that strengthen local tree-care programs.
Funder: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Due Dates: December 31, 2026 (Annual application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Recognition award; no monetary award is described
Summary: The Growth Award recognizes Tree City USA communities that make significant improvements in tree care and community engagement.
Key Information: First-time Tree City USA applicants are not eligible; communities must have held Tree City USA status the previous year.
Description
The Arbor Day Foundation presents the Tree City USA Growth Award to communities that go beyond the foundational Tree City USA standards. It recognizes significant improvements in tree care and community engagement, including work in education and public relations, partnerships, planning and management, and tree planting and maintenance. The award marks years when new or substantially improved activities raise the level of a community’s tree-care program; it is not intended to be earned every year.
In Rhode Island, the Department of Environmental Management’s Urban and Community Forestry Program assists applicants, reviews and approves applications, forwards successful applications to the Arbor Day Foundation for final review, and distributes award materials.
