Olympia Fields was names a 2021 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Olympia Fields achieved this recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: forming a tree board or department, creating a tree-care ordinance, having an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the US Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
"Tree City USA communities benefit from the positive effect that a urban tree canopy has year after year," said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees being planted and care for by Olympia Fields ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program helps cultivate a sense of stewardship and pride for the trees the community plants and cares for."
Planting trees in an urban spaces comes with myriad of benefits past the recognition of this program. Tree plantings help reduce energy consumption by up to 25%, which reduce general energy costs and help with the overall cooling of the city as well.
This is the 13th year that the Village has received this award.
