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​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
CityYears in Program
Anchorage28
Ashland22
Audubon Park8
Beaver Dam3
Bowling Green23
Cadiz4
Carrollton25
Cold Spring15
Covington13
Danville10
Florence25
Fort Campbell12
Fort Knox24
Fort Thomas26
Frankfort20
Green Springs11
Harrodsburg5
Henderson22
Kingsley15
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government29
London6
Louisville Metro17
Lyndon15
Madisonville22
Munfordville9
Ownesboro27
Paducah25
Park Hills7
Pewee Valley22
Prestonsburg15
Prospect9
Russellville20
Shelbyville17
Southgate12
St. Regis Park2
Watterson Park14
Winchester20

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
CampusNumber of Years
Bellarmine University3
Bluegrass Community and Technical College3
Morehead State University3
​University of Kentucky6
​Eastern Kentucky University6
Western Kentucky University7
Centre College7
University of Louisville7
Berea College8
Northern Kentucky University9
Ashland Community and Technical College2

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
UtilityNumber of Years
Bowling Green Municipal Utilities10
Owen Electric Coop8
Blue Grass Energy3