Fort Detrick Designated a Tree City USA Community

By Melanie Skeens, DPW Environmental ManagementMay 2, 2022

Fort Detrick will soon become the recipient of two natural resource awards (FY 2022), which will again designate it a “Tree City USA” and a “Maryland PLANT (People Loving and Nurturing Trees) Community.”

On April 20, 2022, in acknowledgment of Arbor Day, the U.S. Army Garrison Department of Public Works, Environmental Management Division planted an American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) at an on-post tree-planting ceremony.

This will be the 25th consecutive year that Fort Detrick will receive a Maryland PLANT Community Award. The award levels are designated as bronze, silver, gold and green, with green being the highest award level. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service and the Maryland Community Forest Council select the Maryland PLANT Community Award winner. It is provided to publicly recognize people and communities that have enhanced community forests during the past year.

These efforts will also earn Fort Detrick their 20th consecutive “Tree City USA Award” provided by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This award is presented to organizations that have established boards or committees to coordinate tree issues, community tree ordinances, community forestry programs and annual Arbor Day observances.

Fort Detrick will soon become the recipient of two natural resource awards (FY 2022), which will again designate it a “Tree City USA” and a “Maryland PLANT Community.”
Fort Detrick will soon become the recipient of two natural resource awards (FY 2022), which will again designate it a “Tree City USA” and a “Maryland PLANT Community.” (Photo Credit: Photo by Melanie Skeens, DPW) VIEW ORIGINAL

The official Arbor Day observance in  Maryland is recognized the first Wednesday in April; however, unofficially it can be observed any day that the community plants a tree with community participation.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a non-profit, environmental, education organization with over a million members, donors, and partners. Their mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.

For more information about Tree City USA, visit www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.