October 18, 2010

The Sheffield Tree Project is proud to announce that the Town of Sheffield has been awarded the Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This is a great honor. The Tree City USA® program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 135 million Americans call home.
The many benefits of being a Tree City include creating a framework for action, education, a positive public image, and citizen pride.

We have attained Tree City USA status by meeting four standards for more than three consecutive years. The standards are:

1. Maintaining a Community Tree Committee

2. Maintaining a Community Tree Ordinance (Chapter 87 of the Massachusetts General Laws)

3. Maintaining a Community Forestry Program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita

4. Maintaining an annual Arbor Day Celebration and Proclamation.

(L-R) Michael King, Tom Ingersoll, Puck Douglas and (far right) Ben Hillman of the Sheffield Tree Project accept the Tree City USA award from Community Action Forester Alan Snow (tallest) of the Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Two signs will be placed on Route 7: one at either end of town.