Sumter, SC was named a 2017 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Sumter achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program's found 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.
"Three City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand," Said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it's through volunteer engagement public education."
Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, month many other benefits.
More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
