WILLISTON – The Arbor Day Foundation has named Williston a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow and maintain trees to benefit its community.

According to a news release, the Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Its network of more than a million supporters and partners has helped the organization plant more than 500 million trees in forests and communities across more than 60 countries. The foundation’s Tree City USA program is now celebrating its 50th recognition season. The anniversary underscores the program’s rich history of growing healthier, greener and more resilient communities through urban forestry.

“Although it takes time and effort to grow and nurture trees, it is worth the effort put forth by the citizens and the city. By planting trees, we provide habitat, shade and beauty for our community. Even though I love wide-open prairies, cities need the beauty and strength of trees to show that we care about where we live and how our city is thought of by visitors and those who want to make Williston their home,” said Mayor Howard Klug.

To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and participating in an Arbor Day celebration.

The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program is operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.