Fort Detrick designated as a Tree City USA

Fort Detrick will soon become the recipient of two natural resource awards, which will again designate it as a “Tree City USA” and a “Maryland PLANT Community.” These awards are testimony that Fort Detrick recognizes the importance trees play in the health of our planet and how they support an essential global ecosystem.

On April 28, 2023, the U.S. Army Garrison Commander Col. Ned Marsh, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Dills, Department of Public Works Director, Carl Pritchard, Environmental Management Division staff, and Thomas Keenan a Forester with the Maryland Forest Service, planted a Red Maple (Autumn Glory) tree at an on-post tree-planting ceremony.

This will be the 21st 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 (People Loving and Nurturing Trees) Community Award winner. It is provided to publicly recognize people and communities that have enhanced community forests during the past year.

Additionally, these efforts will earn Fort Detrick their 26th 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.

The official National Arbor Day observance is celebrated on the last Friday in April. However, unofficially, it can be observed any day a community plants a tree with community participation.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a non-profit, environmental, educational organization with over a million members, donors, and partners. Their mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. April 28, 2023, marks the 151st anniversary of the celebration of Arbor Day. For more information about Tree City USA, visit www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.