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Urbana celebrates 50th Tree City USA recognition; city arborist highlights long history

Urbana City Council · April 27, 2026
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Summary

Urbana received the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA recognition in April 2026; Urbana is one of 16 original Tree City USA communities and this marks the city’s 50th award, the city arborist said.

Kevin Sanderson, Urbana’s city arborist, presented the Tree City USA recognition to Mayor Williams and the council on April 27, highlighting Urbana’s history in the national program. Sanderson said Urbana applied for its first Tree City USA recognition in the fall of 1975 and that the city is one of 16 original Tree City USA communities.

Sanderson told the council the Arbor Day Foundation recognized Urbana again in April 2026 and that this represents the city’s 50th award in the Tree City USA program. Carol Ausburger, a member of the Tree Commission, joined Sanderson for the presentation and the council paused for photos and applause.

The recognition acknowledges sustained municipal investment in urban forestry, tree protection and related funding, Sanderson said; the presentation credited past mayors and councilmembers for supporting the program. The council recessed briefly afterward due to a storm-related technical issue before returning to the meeting.

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