By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator
Trees help reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, improve air quality, and support mental and physical health. When planted in the right places, they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values and lower energy costs.
The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the City of College Station as a Tree City USA for the 36th consecutive year, honoring its commitment to planting, growing and caring for trees that make the community greener and healthier. Only 15 other Texas cities have maintained the designation for at least 36 years.
College Station also earned its first Tree City USA Growth Award, which recognizes communities that go beyond the program’s core standards through advanced tree care and public engagement. Efforts tied to the five-year Cooling College Station plan, which aims to reduce urban heat, contributed to the recognition.
The Parks and Recreation Department oversaw several initiatives in 2025 to expand the urban tree canopy, including:
- A Texas Native Tree Giveaway that provided 1,450 free trees, including 1,000 one-gallon and 450 15-gallon trees, to residents.
- Coordination with the Texas A&M Forest Service to distribute free seedlings at the annual Trunk or Tree-t event, which educates the public about tree habitats, urban forestry and health benefits.
- Oversight of the installation of 484 30-gallon trees, along with irrigation systems, at Sandstone Park, Edelweiss Park, Edelweiss Gartens Park, Gabbard Park, Brison Park, Lick Creek Park, Crompton Park, College Station Police Department, Municipal Court and Utility Customer Service.
The Tree City USA designation also aligns with the city’s recognition as a Bird City Texas by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Audubon Texas.
Since 1976, the Tree City USA program has recognized more than 3,500 cities and towns that use urban forestry to enhance livability and sustainability. To qualify, 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.
The program is administered in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
About the Blogger
Kelli Nesbitt has served the Parks & Recreation Department for 19 years, including 12 years as marketing coordinator. She also served 1.5 years as the marketing and community engagement specialist for the City of Bryan from 2023-25. A Bryan native, Nesbitt earned a bachelor's degree in health & kinesiology from Sam Houston State.
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