By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

This year’s annual observation and celebration of Arbor Day in Hays at Kiwanis Park, 17th and Harvest Ave., included designation as a “Tree City USA” for 2015.

According to Jim Strine of the Hays Beautification Committee, this is the 37th year the city has been so recognized The program was started just 40 years ago by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Strine told Thursday’s crowd, which included the Wilson School second graders, that four core standards must be met in the program.

“The city has to have a tree board or advisory committee to advise on tree care in the city. That’s one of the things the Hays Beautification Committee does, working with the Parks Department to improve the tree situation in Hays.   There must be a city ordinance that talks about how trees are cared for.  You have to have an Arbor Day program just like we’re doing here today.  And the fourth one, the city has to spend two dollars for every Hays resident each year (on a community forestry program.)”

Strine then presented the Tree City USA flag to Hays Mayor Eber Phelps. “I think it’s really great the city has been committed to 37 years for improving the tree situation in Hays,” Strine said.

Hays is one of 100 communities in Kansas to be designated as a “Tree City USA” in 2015.