Lexington has been nationally recognized with a Tree City Award.

Lexington is now among the ranks of over 3,400 communities that have dedicated themselves to become Tree Cities.

Mayor Steve MacDougall announced the award and presented the plaque at the Town Council meeting June 11.

For the past 30 years, Lexington has adhered to the good forestry principles set forth by the Arbor Day Foundation that qualified it for the honor.

Tree City USA has encouraged urban regions to plant and care for trees since 1976.

Lexington has maintained a tree board/department, a community tree care ordinance and a community forestry program for decades. It has spent at least $2 per town resident on urban forestry and has observed Tree Day annually.

It is important to the town to take these initiatives because without trees, “we don’t breathe,” MacDougall said. Hence, forestry has long been salient on the town’s agenda.

“We have a lot of growth,” in terms of industry and population in the town, MacDougall said.

Ensuring the area maintains its small-town beauty is a priority of the local government.

Winning the Tree City Award has validated the town’s efforts.

“It’s pretty special,” Mac-Dougall said, and it feels good to win, he added.