Royal Oak Earns Bronze for Being Green

On the heels of accolades from the Michigan Concrete Association (Award of Excellence for streetscape improvements) and the Michigan Green Industry Association (Gold Award for the city’s holiday lights display), the City of Royal Oak can add a Bronze seal of achievement for environmental leadership to its recent trophies.

Royal Oak was recognized for its “exemplary action in a variety of categories; including upholding a legacy of community forestry management and promoting urban tree canopy goals,” according to a media release from the Michigan Municipal League (MML). The award was presented at the Michigan Green Communities conference in Flint.

“Royal Oak is a committed member to the Tree City USA program and maintains its legacy with tree lined streets throughout Royal Oak, creating a canopy over the roadways and sidewalk,” states MML.

Royal Oak was one of many local governments to participate in the Michigan Green Communities Challenge, which serves as a guide for communities to measure progress toward sustainability.

“The Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board recommended that we join the challenge, which consists of a checklist of several action items,” said Greg Rassel, director of the Department of Public Service.

In addition to its forestry management and tree planting programs, Royal Oak earned points for having a farmers market and energy-efficient programs, such as Adopt-A-Watt, in place.

Rassel was pleased with the city’s recognition in the friendly competition with other Michigan communities.

“The benchmarks help a community understand what it is already doing right and where it can improve,” Rassel said.