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Des Moines proclaims Arbor Day; Public Works wins APWA re-accreditation
Summary
Mayor Connie Boesen proclaimed April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day; Public Works staff and partners outlined a 3% canopy expansion goal over 20 years and the department received APWA re-accreditation with 100% compliance reported by evaluators.
Mayor Connie Boesen formally proclaimed Friday, April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in Des Moines, urging residents to plant and maintain urban trees and noting the city's recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA and Tree Cities of the World partner.
"Now, therefore, I, Connie Boesen, on behalf of the City Council and the residents of Des Moines, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day," the mayor read during the meeting.
Dan Just, Urban Forestry Project Manager for the Public Works Forestry Division, thanked council and partners including Trees Forever and Urban Ambassadors, and said the city’s tree canopy goal is to increase canopy cover by 3% in the next 20 years.
Public Works staff also brought forward a re-accreditation recognition from the American Public Works Association. Bill Stogsdill, APWA Region 6 director, told the council the Des Moines Department of Public Works achieved "100% in full compliance with all applicable practices" during the re-accreditation evaluation; he noted that fewer than 1% of North American public works agencies hold APWA accreditation.
What happens next: staff will continue tree-planting efforts in partnership with nonprofit and volunteer organizations and proceed with maintenance planning to support canopy goals.
