Frankfort Named Tree City USA

FRANKFORT, IL — The Village of Frankfort was once again named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management, according to a news release from the Village.

The Village achieved the recognition by meeting four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree-care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

According to the release, 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.

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained, the Village said in a release. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

“Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand,” Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, said in a release. “The trees being planted and cared for by Frankfort ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”