Owensboro has once again been recognized as a Tree City USA community, marking the 36th consecutive year the city has received the designation for its commitment to maintaining and improving its urban tree canopy.
The recognition follows approval of the city’s 2025 Tree City USA application by the Kentucky Division of Forestry. The program highlights communities that actively manage and promote healthy tree populations through planning, maintenance, and public engagement.
“I just approved Owensboro’s 2025 Tree City USA application,” wrote John S. “Jack” Baggett, urban and community forestry partnership coordinator with the Kentucky Division of Forestry, in a message to city officials. “Congratulations, and thank you for the continued commitment the city shows toward caring for its community trees.”
Baggett also praised the city’s recent Arbor Day efforts.
“I really enjoyed attending your Arbor Day celebration at Waymond Morris Park last year,” he wrote. “The event was very well organized, and it was great to see the strong community participation.”
According to city officials, the annual recognition reflects a long-running effort by Owensboro’s Public Works Department and city leadership to maintain trees across parks, public spaces, and rights-of-way.
Deputy Public Works Director Kevin Derossitt said the Tree City USA designation highlights the city’s ongoing work to care for its natural spaces.
“Usually it just shows what the city does to help with trees and nature. Each year we hold an Arbor Day where we’ll plant anywhere from eight to 12 trees, usually in a park.”
Each year, the city also marks Arbor Day with a public tree-planting event, typically adding eight to 12 trees in a local park.
“We try to spread them out where we’ve lost a tree here or there, depending on storms and things like that.”
Replacing trees lost to weather or other damage is an ongoing task for city crews, he said.
“As you know, during wind storms, ice storms, and things like that, we lose some of our bigger trees in the parks. Trees are good for oxygen, and they provide shade in the summer.”
Assistant City Manager Lelan Hancock said the city’s participation in the program dates back decades, beginning under former grounds manager Eddie Atherton, who helped establish the initiative early in his career.
“Eddie Atherton, who was our grounds manager for many years, started that program back in the day. He carried it throughout his career with the city, so it’s something the department has always taken seriously.”
Hancock said the city makes consistent efforts to maintain its tree canopy, particularly after storms or infrastructure issues damage existing trees.
“Through storms, ice storms, tornadoes, and wind events, we lose trees. Our crews make a real effort to replace those trees to keep our urban canopy healthy, because it’s important.”
He said the effort reflects a long-term mindset about maintaining the city’s environment.
“You’ve probably heard the saying about planting a tree knowing you’ll never sit under its shade, but someone else will. That was kind of the mindset that Atherton had, and it’s being carried on.”
Mayor Tom Watson said the recognition is a positive reflection of the city’s work.
“Trees are an important part of our parks and neighborhoods. When we receive recognition like this, it reflects the work our city crews do every year to plant, maintain, and replace trees so Owensboro remains a beautiful place for people to live and visit,” Watson said.
Owensboro typically holds an Arbor Day celebration each year that includes a mayoral proclamation and the planting of new trees in a city park. Last year’s event included planting October Glory maple trees at Waymond Morris Park.
City officials said similar tree plantings will continue as part of their ongoing effort to maintain Owensboro’s parks and public spaces for future generations.
