For the 25th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has named Zionsville a Tree City USA, recognizing the town’s ongoing commitment to preserving and enhancing its urban forest.
Trees play a critical role in managing stormwater, improving air quality and enhancing the character and livability of Zionsville’s neighborhoods.
To receive this designation, Zionsville met the program’s four core standards: a functioning tree board (Zionsville Tree Board), a tree-care ordinance, an annual forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day proclamation.
“I am proud that the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized our efforts around urban forestry for the 25th year in a row,” says Mayor John Stehr. “There are a few municipalities in Indiana that have a longer streak, but not many. I hope that future generations continue to recognize the importance of our strong preservation roots and support our growing canopies.”
The town’s forestry efforts are supported by the Department of Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department, which collectively planted more than 52 new street trees and 134 additional trees along town properties and public rights-of-way in 2025.
Crews also pruned 36 trees for health and safety and removed 36 dead or failing trees from public rights-of-way, with an additional 10 removed within parks through routine maintenance.
The Zionsville Parks and Recreation Department also partnered with students, volunteers, contractors and the Zionsville Parks Foundation to plant 1,143 new trees throughout the park system.
With assistance from the Boone County Invasive Cooperative and other service groups, dozens of acres of invasive species were cleared, laying the groundwork for future restoration and reforestation efforts across parks and trails.
The Zionsville Tree Board continues to play a key role in these efforts, contributing more than 300 volunteer hours over the past year. Their work includes hosting a booth at Greenfest, distributing native tree saplings, leading community education initiatives and maintaining a recommended tree species list to guide residents.
“I’m proud to celebrate Zionsville’s long-term commitment to preserving and growing our urban forest,” says Zionsville Tree Board Chair Greta Sanderson. “Trees are more than just part of the landscape. They are essential to our health, our environment and our shared sense of community.”
In total, it is estimated that community members contributed approximately 903 hours of volunteer service through various town-led environmental and forestry initiatives.
In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, Zionsville hosted its annual Greenfest event in April at Heritage Trail Park, bringing together residents and local partners for a day focused on sustainability and conservation.
The Tree City USA program is administered by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Learn more at arborday.org.
