The Arbor Day Foundation and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have recognized Owen Sound as a Tree City of the World.

The purpose of this program is to promote the benefits of trees in the urban built environment, provide direction and assistance for developing urban forestry and tree planting programs, and offers certification and international recognition for sustainable urban forestry practices.

The City applied for the designation and has met the program’s five core standards:

· Establish Responsibility

· Set the Rules

· Know What You Have

· Allocate Resources

· Celebrate Achievements

In 2021, seven Ontario Cities were successful in obtaining a Tree City of the World certification, including Cambridge, Guelph, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and York Region.

For more information on this certification and the City’s Forestry Management Program, visit www.owensound.ca/parks.

Photo credit: John Fearnall/Good Noise Photography