Note to editors: The full list of Maine's Tree City USA recipients and each recipient's number of Tree City USA Awards achieved is included below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2022

Contact: Jim Britt

Arbor Week Timed Urban Forestry Recognitions Presented to 20 Maine Communities, One College Campus, and two Outstanding Tree Farms

Augusta – This week, twenty Maine municipalities received Tree City USA awards, presented by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Project Canopy community forestry program. One campus, Colby College, was also recognized with a Tree Campus USA award. Tree City USA Awards are earned for commitment to effective urban forest management.

Also included in this 2022 Arbor Week celebration was the awarding of the 2022 Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year, presented to Bombadil Tree Farm (Ashland), and the Hancock County Tree Farm of the Year - Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust. (Photos are included below)

Tree City USA communities have met or exceeded four overarching standards:

• Maintaining a tree board or department
• Having a community tree care ordinance
• Investing at least $2 per capita in urban forestry
• Celebrating Arbor Day 

Project Canopy encourages communities to develop project proposals that support sustainable community forestry management, increase awareness of the benefits of trees and forests, and increase the health and livability of communities through sound tree planting and maintenance.

Among this year's Tree City USA recipients, Farmington, Kennebunkport, and Westbrook were recognized for the 45th consecutive year (the Tree City USA Awards program started in 1976). The newcomer to Maine's list of Tree City USA achievers is Ellsworth. 

Ellsworth – 1 year
Falmouth – 3 years
Rockland – 3 years
Brunswick – 5 year
Dover-Foxcroft – 9 years
Veazie – 9 years
Saco –12 years
Castine – 13 years
Bangor – 17 years
Auburn – 19 years
Lewiston – 19 years
Hallowell – 20 years
Bath – 25 years
Orono – 26 years
Portland – 42 years
South Portland – 42 years
Yarmouth – 43 years
Farmington – 45 years
Kennebunkport – 45 years
Westbrook – 45 years

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Photos are linked to full-sized versions - "Courtesy Project Canopy"

Hancock County Tree Farm of the Year - Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust - (left to right) Kevin Allcroft, Roger Greene, and Landon Fake, pictured with Maine State Forester Patty Cormier

Maine Outstanding Tree Farm - Bombadil Tree Farm, Vince Seiwert, pictured with State Forester Patty Cormier