The City of West Fargo, a Tree City USA, was named a Growth Award Recipient by the Arbor Day Foundation for the seventh consecutive year. West Fargo was one of only three cities in North Dakota to receive the award for 2021 along with Cavalier and Wahpeton. 

The Growth Award looks back at the previous year, and recognizes major milestones and annual activities in five categories that combine to build sustainable community forestry programs.

“The Growth Award goes beyond our designation as a Tree City USA. It recognizes that West Fargo is continually implementing innovative ideas and strategies to grow and promote our urban forestry programs,” said West Fargo City Forester Chad Zander, “We are proud that this is our seventh year honored, and are striving to receive the award 10 years in a row, earning West Fargo the distinction of Sterling Community.”

West Fargo was recognized for efforts in the following three categories:

Performance - Tree Planting Projects: The City of West Fargo planted two new community orchards in 2021 as a part of the Community Orchard Program. These small, local orchards are designed to encourage healthy eating, and provide an attraction and enhanced quality of life in the neighborhoods in which they are located. The orchards contain apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees with fruit available for residents to pick and use. To learn more about the Community Orchard Program visit https://www.westfargond.gov/816/Community-Orchard.

Building the Team - Grant Applications: The City of West Fargo’s Forestry Division was awarded two grants in the 2021 calendar year from the North Dakota Forest Service. The first grant provided funding to plant 107 new trees on 14^th Avenue E. and the second grant supported the removal and replacement of ash trees under power lines on 3^rd Avenue W. In total the Forestry Division was awarded $18,367.00 in 2021. 

Outreach - Publicity Campaigns: In 2021, the City of West Fargo started a publicity campaign called “Forestry Friday.” Content was posted to City social media accounts highlighting regulations, helpful tips and tricks, forestry standards, forestry pictures and other relevant forestry issues to increase public awareness and education.