31 and counting

For the 31st time, the City of Rehoboth Beach has earned recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for its commitment to caring for and managing its public trees. Also, the city has once again received the foundation’s Growth Award for continuous improvement to its urban forestry program.

“These national recognitions from the Arbor Day Foundation are perennial in Rehoboth Beach,

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but that doesn’t mean that we take them – or our trees – for granted,” says Arborist Liz Lingo. “The city’s commitment to tree canopy preservation, maintenance, and planting are critical to safeguarding Rehoboth’s wooded seaside character, which is so highly valued by our residents and visitors.”

The City of Rehoboth Beach and 3,600 other communities across the country qualify for Tree City USA designation by meeting four program requirements: having 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 Growth Award recognizes communities that demonstrate year-over-year increasing levels of tree care and community engagement.

Currently, the Board of Commissioners is working to make significant changes to the city’s tree-related ordinances. The City of Rehoboth Beach will host its annual Arbor Day planting next month; details are still being planned.

Trees enhance the visual appeal of communities, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among other benefits.