By Staff 5-22,2015
The City of Cheyenne has been recognized as a 2014 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Cheyenne also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and higher level of tree care. Both honors came from the Arbor Day Foundation.
Cheyenne 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
- An Arbor Day observance and proclamation
“Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers, and committed citizens in communities like Cheyenne make smart investments in urban forests,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits.”
“Cheyenne’s Urban Forestry Division cares for over 12,000 public trees and provides oversight for over 8,000 street trees. The combined value of these trees is over $35 million,” Lisa Olson, Director of Urban Forestry stated. “It is unknown the overall value of all of Cheyenne’s trees located on private property but the number would more than double.”
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.
For more information about trees in Cheyenne, visit the City of Cheyenne Urban Forestry website at www.cheyennetrees.com.
