The City of Redmond was recently bestowed with a 2013 Tree City USA award by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

Redmond achieved this recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Tree USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

“As a city that prides itself in responsible forest preservation, thanks in large part to our talented team of arborists, we are honored to receive this award,” said Redmond Mayor John Marchione.

On Friday, 28 Horace Mann Elementary fourth- and fifth-graders (pictured) helped city staff plant four ornamental cherry trees at Hartman Park. Teacher Marie Hartford joined her students at the event, which featured Marchione reading an Arbor Day proclamation. The students are all members of the school’s Opportunity Team, formerly known as the Green Team.

Cleaner air, improved storm water management, energy savings, increased property values and commercial activity are among the benefits enjoyed by Tree City USA communities.

“Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like Redmond make smart investments in urban forests,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation.

For more information on the program, visit arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.