Communities in Greene and Dallas counties recently received recognition for planting trees.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Arbor Day Foundation honors cities, college campuses and utilities for their commitment to trees. The Urban Forestry Awards ceremony was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. However, awards were still sent to recipients.

The cities of Jefferson, Adel and Dallas Center each earned a Tree City USA Award. The criteria for the award is that the city must have a forester or an active city tree board, have a tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita annually for its forestry program and have a tree planting and maintenance plan.