CAPE MAY — Cape May City Mayor Clarence F. Lear, III announced the City received word this week that it was named a 2016 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Mayor Lear extended congratulations to the City’s Shade Tree Commission. He said, “We are grateful to Commission members who are diligent and enthusiastic in their work to create and sustain a productive shade tree program in Cape May and we appreciate the Arbor Foundation’s recognition of the City’s efforts.”
Cape May 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.
“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation. Shade Tree Commission Chairperson Jay Schatz affirmed this sentiment noting, “Cape May’s tree program adds to a sense of community pride and enhances the visual appeal of neighborhoods.”
Cape May City Manager Neil Young noted an effective tree program provides multiple benefits including for example, “increasing property values, reducing home cooling costs, and removing air pollutants.”
More information about the Tree City USA program can be found on the Arbor Day Foundation website at arborday.org.
