Grace Roebke | Reporter

The Bowling Green City Tree Commission has announced its fifth annual tree photo contest, going on now through Oct. 31.

Photographers of all skill levels in Bowling Green are encouraged to submit their best photos of trees residing within city limits. The BG Tree Commission, responsible for the maintenance and care of our urban forest, will then select the top photos in each of the following categories: winter, spring, summer and fall. 

The public gets the final say, as they will vote for their favorite photos out of the commission’s top selections in each season. 

The winner of each category will receive a $25 gift certificate for North Branch Nursery, a local garden center in Pemberville. They will also get an official print of their picture done by Main Street Photo in Bowling Green. 

The goal of the contest is to raise awareness of Bowling Green’s unique Urban Forest, which includes around 7,600 trees within city limits. Some of the species found in the area are elm, maple, oak, pear, spruce, yellowwood and cherry trees. 

Urban forests host many benefits, including but not limited to wildlife diversity, increased air and water quality, higher property values and greater quality of life for humans. 

Bowling Green has been named a Tree City USA community for 39 consecutive years and has won the Growth Award 25 times – more than any other city in Ohio. 

The Tree Commission, in addition to raising awareness around Bowling Green’s urban treelife, hope to expand the city’s care and beautification of the natural landscape to create a better environmental future for Bowling Green’s citizens.