~ Springfield, MO - The City of Springfield is proud to announce its 40th anniversary as a designated Tree City USA. This recognition was first earned in 1985 for the city's commitment to effective urban forest management. To celebrate this milestone and honor Arbor Day, the city and its community partners will be hosting a special celebration at Hammons Field on Tuesday, April 29.

More than 1,000 students from Springfield Public Schools and surrounding districts are expected to attend the event, which will begin at 9 a.m. with an on-field educational program. This program is supported by funding from the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Cost Share Grant. The morning will feature a presentation on the history of Arbor Day by MDC, as well as a video exploring the benefits of trees and the growth journey of an apple tree. As part of the celebration, arborists from Springfield Public Works will plant a tree in the Batter's Eye area beyond the outfield. They will also provide a demonstration on proper planting, watering, and mulching techniques.

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At 11 a.m., the First Pitch Ceremony will commence with a mayoral proclamation and recognitions from MDC for Springfield's Tree City USA and Line Clearance Tree Trimming (Line City USA) achievements. The highlight of this ceremony will be a special appearance by The Lorax, who will deliver the ceremonial first pitch to kick off the game.

Throughout the game, attendees will have the opportunity to receive a free tree and explore informational booths hosted by local organizations such as NeighborWoods, Tree City USA, Missouri Department of Conservation, City Utilities, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, and Springfield Environmental Services. Tickets for this event can be purchased at www.milb.com/springfield/tickets.

The Tree City USA program is a national initiative by the Arbor Day Foundation that provides communities with guidelines for managing their public tree resources. In 2025, Springfield will celebrate four decades of this designation. Additionally, the city has earned the Tree City USA Growth Award for the fifteenth consecutive year. This award recognizes communities that go above and beyond the program's four core standards. This year's award was earned through staff members achieving International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) credentials, completion of a partial inventory of the city's tree population, and submission of a detailed Annual Work Plan.

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Aaron Scott, Chair of Springfield's Tree City USA Citizen Advisory Committee, stated, "Maintaining our Tree City USA designation for 40 years - and earning a Growth Award - is proof that the City of Springfield values and invests in our urban forest. We are grateful to the City of Springfield, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, City Utilities, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Community Forestry Council, and the many dedicated volunteers and partners who continue to champion trees in our city. We also thank the Springfield Cardinals for hosting this annual Arbor Day celebration."

As Springfield celebrates its 40th anniversary as a designated Tree City USA, it is evident that the city remains committed to effective urban forest management. With continued support from community partners and dedicated volunteers, Springfield will continue to thrive as a green and sustainable city for years to come.

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