Community News

4/10/14:

The City of Clare will celebrate the value of urban and community trees and announce its commitment to tree management during an Arbor Day celebration this spring at Shamrock Park.

In 1872, J. Sterling Morton, who served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland, believed an annual day of celebration should be set aside for the planting of trees.  As a result, the first Arbor Day celebration was created in Nebraska.  Morton, a politician originally from Michigan, understood the landscape and economic value trees provide.  In 1885, Nebraska declared an annual Arbor Day.  In 1970, President Richard Nixon made the same declaration at the federal level; thus, National Arbor Day was created.

Community trees are an important asset worth protecting in neighborhoods in order to maintain residents’ quality of life and the safe and pleasant environment where they live and work.  Since 2007, the City of Clare has been working to educate residents on the value of trees and the proper selection, planting, and maintenance of trees.   During 2008, the City of Clare approved and enacted a community tree ordinance, one of the necessary components needed for receiving Tree City USA status.  The city has officially maintained Tree City USA status since 2008.

The Tree City USA program, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the USDA Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters, distinguishes communities throughout the nation exhibiting a commitment to proper tree care and management.  For obtainment of this status, communities must meet four criteria.  These criteria include having a tree advisory board or department, adopting a tree care ordinance, investing at least $2 per capita in forestry programs, and holding an annual Arbor Day event.

The City of Clare and the Tree Advisory Board will celebrate their commitment to community forestry on Tuesday, April 22nd 2014, during the Arbor Day celebration.  The celebration will include the planting of about 10-15 trees throughout Shamrock Park from 12 noon to 2:30 pm.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend the planting event.