Many cities across the Commonwealth have strong urban forestry programs, and many have been recognized for their commitment by being awarded the Tree City USA designation.
Over the years, the Kentucky Division of Forestry has been an active participant in the Tree City USA program, which recognizes communities that demonstrate a strong commitment to the management of their urban forests. It is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters. The Division of Forestry offers technical and educational assistance that enables communities to develop sustainable community forestry programs. The chart below shows the Kentucky communities that have been awarded Tree City USA status and the number of years they have been active in the program.
2016 Tree City USAs
City | Years in Program |
Anchorage | 28 |
Ashland | 22 |
Audubon Park | 8 |
Beaver Dam | 3 |
Bowling Green | 23 |
Cadiz | 4 |
Carrollton | 25 |
Cold Spring | 15 |
Covington | 13 |
Danville | 10 |
Florence | 25 |
Fort Campbell | 12 |
Fort Knox | 24 |
Fort Thomas | 26 |
Frankfort | 20 |
Green Springs | 11 |
Harrodsburg | 5 |
Henderson | 22 |
Kingsley | 15 |
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government | 29 |
London | 6 |
Louisville Metro | 17 |
Lyndon | 15 |
Madisonville | 22 |
Munfordville | 9 |
Ownesboro | 27 |
Paducah | 25 |
Park Hills | 7 |
Pewee Valley | 22 |
Prestonsburg | 15 |
Prospect | 9 |
Russellville | 20 |
Shelbyville | 17 |
Southgate | 12 |
St. Regis Park | 2 |
Watterson Park | 14 |
Winchester | 20 |
For information about how your city can become a Tree City USA contact Bridget Abernathy at 502-782-7176.
Tree Campus USA Program
The Tree Campus USA® program helps colleges and universities around the country establish and sustain healthy community forests. Kentucky has 11 colleges/universities (as of 2016) that are currently enrolled into this program:
Tree Campus USA Program
Campus | Number of Years |
Bellarmine University | 3 |
Bluegrass Community and Technical College | 3 |
Morehead State University | 3 |
University of Kentucky | 6 |
Eastern Kentucky University | 6 |
Western Kentucky University | 7 |
Centre College | 7 |
University of Louisville | 7 |
Berea College | 8 |
Northern Kentucky University | 9 |
Ashland Community and Technical College | 2 |
Tree Line USA Program
Tree Line USA recognizes best practices in utility arboriculture. Kentucky has two utilities that enrolled in the program for 2016:
Tree Line USA Program
Utility | Number of Years |
Bowling Green Municipal Utilities | 10 |
Owen Electric Coop | 8 |
Blue Grass Energy | 3 |