The City of Sheboygan was named a 2019 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Sheboygan was the first Wisconsin community to meet the guidelines set by the Arbor Day Foundation and has continually cared for the community’s trees for 42 straight years! We are also now a Growth Award winner for demonstrating environmental improvement and higher level of tree care; we are working toward Sterling Tree City USA Designation.
Sheboygan achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
“Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation.”The trees being planted and cared for by Sheboygan are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy to a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”
If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection from extreme heat and flooding. The Arbor Day Foundation recently launched the Time for Trees initiative to address these issues, with unprecedented goals of planting 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspiring 5 million tree planters by 2022. With Tree City USA recognition, City has demonstrated a commitment to effective urban forest management and doing its part to help address these challenges for City residents now and in the future.
►Learn more about the City of Sheboygan Parks & Forestry Department