The Arbor Day Foundation has honored Flossmoor with its 2024 Tree City USA designation for the village’s commitment to plant, grow and maintain trees to benefit its community. 

The village also received a 2024 Tree City USA Growth Award for going above and beyond the four standards required for the Tree City Award. Both awards were announced this month.

Flossmoor achieved Tree City USA recognition by upholding the program’s four core standards:

• Maintaining a tree board or department.
• Having a community tree-care ordinance.
• Dedicating an annual urban forestry budget of at least $2 per capita.
• Participating in an Arbor Day celebration.

“We all have a role to play in shaping our future and tree champions such as Flossmoor are leading the way,” said Michelle Saulnier, vice president of programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees are critical infrastructure building resiliency and fostering good health in our nation’s cities. We’re proud Flossmoor is among the Arbor Day Foundation’s growing network of communities that are dedicated to creating positive impact through trees.”

In cities and suburban neighborhoods, trees are proven to help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality and boost mental and physical health. When the right trees are planted in the right places, Saulnier said they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values and lower energy costs for homeowners.

Flossmoor has been promoting the growth and care of trees for many years, according to Dave Becker, Flossmoor’s forestry maintenance technician. 

The village has actively encouraged tree plantings. In 2024, the Flossmoor Public Works Department and Green Commission worked together with community volunteers to plant 100 trees in parkways and parks to celebrate Flossmoor’s 100th birthday. In addition, the village distributed free tree saplings at many events throughout the year. 

The first OAKtoberfest event was held in September 2024, an event that included a guided tree walk to explore Flossmoor’s diverse tree canopy, as well as educational demonstrations and exhibitors in support of the environment.

“The trees added each year to our village will provide many decades of environmental benefits and health benefits for the greater community,” Becker said.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global non-profit organization with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information about the program is available at arborday.org.