BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Boca Raton is using Earth Month to put residents into the middle of its environmental work, pairing a new round of public events with another national recognition for the city’s tree program.
The Arbor Day Foundation has named Boca Raton a 2025 Tree City USA, the 46th straight year the city has earned the designation. Boca Raton also received the Tree City USA Growth Award for the seventh consecutive year, a separate recognition tied to continued progress in urban forestry and community engagement.
The city’s April calendar turns that recognition into a series of hands-on events across Boca Raton, from planting native trees and restoring dunes to cleanup work, gardening demonstrations and workshops on Florida-friendly landscaping. The work is being led through the City of Boca Raton, including its Office of Sustainability, with support from outside partners such as Community Greening, the Institute for Regional Conservation, Boca Raton Urban Gardens and the University of Florida.
The next major public event is the Boca Raton Arbor Day Tree Planting, set for Friday, April 24, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Spanish River Athletic Complex, 1000 Spanish River Boulevard. The city and Community Greening plan to plant 40 native shade trees along the walking and running trail there, and they are asking volunteers to sign up online in advance.
Community Greening arborists and trained tree technicians will lead the work and assist volunteers on site. The city says no experience is required, and people of all skill levels and physical capabilities are welcome. Tools will be provided. Work gloves will be available to borrow, along with water and light snacks. A DJ is also scheduled to be on site during the event.
Volunteers are being asked to wear closed-toe shoes, clothing that can get dirty, a hat and sunscreen. Families are welcome, though minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the full event. The tree planting will be canceled if there is a forecasted Excessive Heat Warning or heavy rain, and registered volunteers would be notified by email.
The tree planting also serves a practical role for Boca Raton’s urban forestry program. To qualify for Tree City USA recognition, cities must meet four standards set by the Arbor Day Foundation: maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and hold an Arbor Day observance. The Growth Award recognizes communities that go further in tree care and public participation.
City Sustainability Manager Christina Batoh-Jennings said the latest recognition reflects a long-running commitment to environmental stewardship and urban planning, describing the urban forest as essential infrastructure that supports resilience, biodiversity and quality of life. Mayor Andy Thomson said the city’s tree canopy remains part of what defines Boca Raton’s public spaces, neighborhoods and long-term character.
The city says its recent urban forestry work has included community enhancement events, tree giveaways, native habitat restoration and the rededication of a historic buttonwood tree in Por La Mar Park. It also points to the broader environmental value of urban tree cover, including reducing heat buildup, managing stormwater, improving air quality and creating benefits for residents and neighborhoods when trees are planted in the right places.
The Earth Month calendar extends beyond Arbor Day. On Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Office of Sustainability and the Institute for Regional Conservation will host a volunteer dune restoration and BioBlitz at Spanish River Park. That event will focus on installing native plants on beach dunes, mild debris cleanup and removing invasive species. The city says the event can also count as a community service opportunity for students.
On Sunday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Susan Whelchel Community Garden will host Earth Day at the Garden, a family-oriented event organized by Boca Raton Urban Gardens and the city. The program includes a composting workshop, a food forest and pollinator garden tour, children’s activities, a vertical oyster garden demonstration, and propagation demonstrations for banana and pineapple plants. Food will be available for purchase, and attendees are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and canned goods for Boca Helping Hands.
The city’s Sustainable Yard Series continues Tuesday, April 28, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Spanish River Library, 1501 Spanish River Blvd. That session focuses on Florida-friendly landscaping in homeowner and condo associations, including how residents and communities can shift toward more sustainable landscapes and what to look for when hiring a landscape professional. Registration is required through the Sustainable Yard Series webpage.
The month closes with an Intracoastal Cleanup on Thursday, April 30, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Check-in begins on site at 4 p.m. Participants 13 and older may use Gumbo Limbo kayaks or canoes while supplies last, though personal vessels will not be allowed. A land-based cleanup option will be available for everyone and is required for children under 13. Cleanup materials will be provided, and giveaways from 4Ocean are planned.
For residents, the message is straightforward: Boca Raton is tying its environmental planning to visible public events, and April is the month to show up. The city has published a broader Earth Month calendar, along with more details on sustainability programming and volunteer opportunities.
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