Community Corner

Whitefish Bay Named a Tree City USA for 18th Year

By meeting four requirements, the village joins 3,400 other communities that have placed a high priority on planting and caring for trees.

For the 18th year, Whitefish Bay was selected as a 'Tree City USA' community.

The Tree City USA proclamation was announced today by the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. More than 3,400 cities and towns have been recognized as a Tree City USA.

"We all benefit when communities like Whitefish Bay place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation's most beautiful resources," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation, in a news release. "Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud Whitefish Bay's elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest."

Find out what's happening in Whitefish Baywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To become a Tree City, Whitefish Bay had to have four things in place: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a community forestry program with annual expenditures of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

According to the news release, trees promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles; they moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife; they reduce the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings in urban areas; and they reduce energy use and increase property values.

Find out what's happening in Whitefish Baywith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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