Mesa celebrates Arbor Day and 15th year as Tree City USA

The Mesa City Council meeting on April 21, 2025, highlighted the city's commitment to environmental sustainability through the celebration of Arbor Day. Mayor Freeman and council members recognized the importance of trees in enhancing urban life, providing clean air, shade, and beauty to the community.

Stefan Addison, a representative from the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, addressed the council, marking Mesa's fifteenth year as a Tree City USA. He emphasized the city's ongoing efforts to plant and care for trees, noting that over 50 trees have been planted in local parks, schools, and residential areas. This initiative is expected to increase the tree canopy cover by 3 to 5% in these locations.

Addison introduced key contributors to the tree planting efforts, including Ashley and Bill, project organizers, and Jake from American Forests. Ashley detailed the Mesa Tree Stewards program, which trains volunteers in tree care and maintenance. The program has graduated 32 tree stewards who have collectively planted 171 trees in areas identified as needing more green space, directly benefiting thousands of residents.

Jake highlighted the importance of tree equity, ensuring that all neighborhoods have access to the benefits of a healthy tree canopy. He announced plans for a million tree initiative aimed at enhancing urban forestry in Mesa, which will focus on creating a cohesive vision for the future.

The meeting underscored the city's dedication to fostering a greener environment and building community resilience through collaborative efforts in urban forestry. Residents interested in participating in future tree stewardship programs were encouraged to reach out for more information.