Dozens of local Boy & Girl Scouts and other children are expected to join local leaders in celebrating Arbor Day at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27 at Wilson Park.

The children will help plant a tree while Mayor Jeff Sanner, joined by other city council members and City Beautiful Commission members, reads a proclamation. Children who participate will earn a patch for their participation.

The City of West Carrollton earned its 23rd certificate as a Tree City USA member during a ceremony Friday, April 20, in Amberley Village, Ohio.

Participation in the Tree City USA program requires that the city performs tree care programs, enacts a community tree ordinance, funds a community forestry program; and celebrate Arbor Day with a community ceremony.

For the past 31 years, Ohio has been the nation’s leader in Tree City USA communities with 237 participating cities, villages and townships, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Forestry. The event in Amberley was one of six regional Tree City USA celebrations in Ohio during the month of April.

“Half of Ohioans live and work in a Tree City USA and enjoy a variety of benefits that come with having more trees, such as cleaner air and water, reduced stormwater runoff and increased property values,” said Bob Boyles, state forester and chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “The Tree City USA program also helps communities deal with urban forestry challenges, such as the emerald ash borer.”

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For more information, contact Christian Mattingly, parks and recreation director, at (937) 859-5181 x2.