The city of Durango celebrated its first Tree City USA designation on Colorado Arbor Day, April 17, 1981, in a joint ceremony dedicating Pioneer Park, according to historical documents provided by the city of Durango. The city has continued its tree-planting tradition and continues to show its commitment to its urban forest as a perennial participant in the Tree City USA program.

Along with being a Tree City USA for 40 consecutive years, Durango will receive its 28th Tree City USA Growth Award for achievements in improving and growing forestry program operations last year.

Tree City USA is a program of the Arbor Day Foundation that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. The Colorado State Forest Service administers the Tree City USA program in Colorado on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation.

For more information about the Tree City USA program, visit www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa.