LB Still A ‘Tree City USA’

For the 19th consecutive year, Lake Bluff has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation honoring the Village’s commitment to outstanding community forestry practices.

As part of a family of over 3,400 communities that have received this designation, Lake Bluff has met the following four standards required to become a Tree City USA:

1. the operation of a forestry department.
2. the protection of trees through a tree preservation ordinance,
3. the implementation of a comprehensive community forestry program, and
4. a proclamation observing Arbor Day.

In accomplishing one of the standards for Tree City USA status,  the Village Board designated Friday, April 24th as Arbor Day in Lake Bluff. This celebration will happen throughout the day in programs at schools and , in particular, in the planting of a tree at Blair Park (355 W, Washington Ave.) at 2:00 p.m.

The benefits of being a Tree City USA are many and are well known to the 135 million Americans living in a Tree City USA. The standards used by the Arbor Day Foundation that distinguish these communities from others help create a framework for an urban or community forestry program. By retaining the Tree City USA designation the Village continues to successfully fulfill one of the goals outlined in the 2016 Strategic Plan, enhancing public and private open spaces, which seeks to achieve the community’s vision of Environmental stewardship, which enhances the natural beauty of the community.

When asked about the environmentally-friendly award, Public Works Superintendent Jake Terlap says, “Being recognized as a Tree City USA for the past 19 years says the Lake Bluff enjoys a quality of life better than most other places and ensures its commitment to its natural environment continues.”

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA designation, contact Jake Terlap, Public Works Superikntendent, at 847-735-2310 (tel: 847-735-2310), or email at  vlb@lakebluff.org.