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The Arbor Day Foundation has named Alexandria a 2025 Tree City USA, recognizing the city's urban forestry program, the foundation announced Tuesday.
To earn the designation, communities must meet four standards: maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, invest at least $2 per capita in urban forestry, and observe Arbor Day each year. The Tree City USA program, operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Forest Service, has recognized communities for more than 40 years.
Alexandria's urban forestry program, managed through the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, oversees approximately 20,000 street trees, along with thousands more in parks and on the grounds of public facilities, including libraries, schools, and administrative buildings, according to the city.
"Trees are critical infrastructure, building resiliency and fostering good health in our nation's cities," said Michelle Saulnier, vice president of programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. "We're proud Alexandria is among the Arbor Day Foundation's growing network of communities dedicated to creating positive impact through trees."
Mayor Alyia Gaskins welcomed the recognition. "Trees strengthen our community, support public health, and help build a more resilient future for all residents," she said.
According to the city, Alexandria's tree canopy helps reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, and improve air quality, and the city also cites quieter streets, higher property values, and lower energy costs among the benefits. The city conducted a canopy change assessment covering 2014 to 2018 in partnership with the University of Vermont's Spatial Analysis Laboratory, using methods developed with the USDA Forest Service.
National Arbor Day is celebrated annually on the last Friday in April, which is April 24 in 2026.
More information is available at alexandriava.gov/Trees or arborday.org.
