Lora A. Vitek Mayor | City of St. Charles
Lora A. Vitek Mayor | City of St. Charles
St. Charles has maintained its status as a Tree City USA since 1998, following concerns about the local tree canopy raised by former City Alderman Peter Grathoff. Grathoff organized the first Arbor Day celebration in St. Charles and helped establish the city's Tree Commission after noting a decline in area trees. The initial Arbor Day event included planting a tree in memory of John Deutsch, a Public Works employee who died in a work-related accident.
To remain a Tree City, St. Charles completes an annual application and renewal process with the Arbor Day Foundation. The city meets four main requirements: having a tree board or department (the Natural Resources Commission), enacting a public tree care ordinance (St. Charles Municipal Code 12.20), budgeting at least $2 per capita annually for public trees through Public Works, and holding an Arbor Day observance and proclamation signed by the mayor.
The most recent Arbor Day celebration took place at Anderson Elementary School, where participants planted a Common PawPaw Tree (Asimina triloba). The event is held each year on the last Friday in April.
"We are very proud to be a Tree City, keeping our trees and the environment a priority here in St. Charles," said Suzi Myers of the City of St. Charles Natural Resources Commission.
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