by Kristin Casale
Associate Editor
Stow -- The National Arbor Day Foundation has named Stow a "Tree City USA" community for the 28th consecutive year, and a celebration is in the works.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by foundation in cooperation with the National Association of Foresters and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. According to Stow Community Information Coordinator Linda Nahrstedt, Stow has met the following standards to become a Tree City USA community: having a designated tree board or department responsible for the care of trees in the community; passing a tree care ordinance; having an active comprehensive community forestry program; and hosting an Arbor Day celebration.
Stow will be recognized during this year's Tree City USA awards ceremony, which Stow will host April 30 at the Stow Youth Baseball Hall.
"Trees in our cities and towns help clean air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature and bring nature into our daily lives," said John Rosenow, president of The National Arbor Day Foundation. "Tree City USA designation recognizes the work of elected officials, staff and citizens who plant and care for the community forest."
More than 250 attendees from 67 communities in Northeast Ohio will attend the event to celebrate being recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
"It is our privilege to join other communities and be honored as an award recipient of the Tree City USA designation," said Stow Mayor Karen Fritschel. "Our urban forestry department and urban forestry commission work very hard each year and have a long-standing continued commitment to the Tree City USA program."
Stow Arborist Sue Mottl said she looks forward to the awards ceremony, which she explained will include educational exhibits and presentations on tree care.
Mottl said while she is proud of the city's accomplishment, caring for the community's trees is an ongoing job.
"The biggest thing I'm working on is updating our tree inventory," she said, stating the last inventory was performed in 1990. "I'm going through and getting our inventory done so I can keep track of all the maintenance of the trees."
Mottl said she also is reviewing the areas of the city that have few trees, so more can be planted in those locations.
"Hopefully, within the next year, I want to get out and do more education programs," she added.