Communities across Iowa—including Ottumwa—are being recognized for their dedication to urban forestry and the important role trees play in improving quality of life.
The annual Urban Forestry Awards luncheon will be held April 8, 2026, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The event is presented on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Each year, the program honors cities, college campuses, and utilities that demonstrate strong commitment to planting, maintaining, and celebrating trees in their communities.
🌳 Tree City USA Award Recipients
Dozens of Iowa communities earned the Tree City USA designation by meeting standards such as maintaining a tree board or forester, adopting a tree ordinance, investing in forestry programs, and promoting tree planting and care.
Award-winning communities include:
Adel, Ames, Arnolds Park, Atlantic, Belle Plaine, Bettendorf, Bondurant, Boone, Burlington, Carlisle, Carroll, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Clarinda, Clarksville, Clinton, Clive, Coralville, Council Bluffs, Cresco, Davenport, Decorah, Denver, Des Moines, DeWitt, Dubuque, Dysart, Fort Dodge, Greene, Grimes, Grundy Center, Hampton, Hillsboro, Hopkinton, Huxley, Indianola, Iowa City, Jefferson, Johnston, Livermore, Luxemburg, Manchester, Maquoketa, Marion, Marquette, Marshalltown, Mason City, Maxwell, Muscatine, Newton, North Liberty, Odebolt, Oelwein, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Red Oak, Sioux City, Spencer, Story City, Tipton, Urbandale, Washington, Waterloo, Waukee, Waverly, Webster City, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and Winterset.
🌱 Tree City USA Growth Award
Communities going above and beyond in forestry education, partnerships, and long-term planning received the Growth Award.
Recipients include:
Ames, Bettendorf, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Decorah, Des Moines, Dysart, Grundy Center, Iowa City, Johnston, Marion, Marquette, Mason City, Oelwein, Polk City, Story City, Waverly, West Des Moines, and Winterset.
🌍 Tree Cities of the World
Four Iowa communities earned international recognition for meeting global standards in urban forest management:
Burlington, Decorah, Des Moines, and Iowa City.
🎓 Tree Campus USA Award
Several colleges and universities were honored for engaging students and maintaining strong campus tree programs:
Divine Word College,
Drake University,
Hawkeye Community College,
Iowa State University,
Kirkwood Community College,
University of Northern Iowa,
University of Iowa,
and William Penn University.
⚡ Tree Line USA Award
Utility providers recognized for responsible tree care and energy conservation efforts include:
Alliant Energy,
MidAmerican Energy,
and Waverly Utilities.
