Future Christmas Walk Tree Planted At Oswego Arbor Day Event

OSWEGO, IL — The Village of Oswego has been named a 2017 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and is celebrating by planting another tree – the official Christmas Walk tree – for guture generations to enjoy, on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Oswego achieved Tree City USA 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.

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

This is the 24 th year that the Village of Oswego has been honored as a Tree City USA.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

Plant the future Christmas Walk tree on April 21 This year, the Oswego community will come together to celebrate Arbor Day with the ceremonial planting of a very important tree, the official Christmas Walk tree will be lit to usher in the holiday season each November, once it is fully matured.

“This is a win-win for the community and allows us to celebrate this Arbor Day knowing that we are literally growing something for the future,” said Village President Gail Johnson. “Planting an official tree is more sustainable, both environmentally and financially, over the long term for our community.”

The Christmas Walk tree planting will happen at Oswego Village Hall in conjunction with the ECO Earth Day Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, April 21. The tree planting is scheduled for 10 a.m. near the gazebo on the Village Green, and the tree will be generously provided by The Garden Faire.

The ECO Earth Day Recycling Extravaganza will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, on Saturday, April 21, at Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill, Oswego. It is free and open to the public, and offers opportunities to recycle items like electronics and Styrofoam as well as demonstrations on sustainability topics, such as backyard chickens and composting.

For more information about this event or other opportunities to get involved with sustainability
in Oswego, contact the ECO Commission at eco@oswegoil.org. More information on the Tree City USA program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

Submitted by the Village of Oswego

Patch file photo