Whiting earns 13th annual ‘Tree City USA’ designation

By Brandi Makuski

The village of Whiting has been named a 2024 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its 13th year.

Village staff celebrated Arbor Day on April 26 by planting 89 spruce and balsam fir seedlings, donated by Village Trustee Kevin Lutz, at numerous locations on village property. Lutiz is also chairman of the village’s Tree Board.

The seedlings were planted by village staff and representatives, including Jacob Wilcox, director public works, Village President Dean Curtis, and Trustee Karen Curtis on Friday.

President Curtis also issued and read the proclamation of Arbor Day for the village.

Arbor Day is a holiday dedicated to the planting, care, and preservation of trees. It was first observed in the United States in 1872 in Nebraska, where it was proposed by J. Sterling Morton as a day to encourage the planting of trees to beautify the landscape and provide windbreaks and shade.

Since then, Arbor Day has been celebrated in many countries as a way to promote environmental awareness and conservation.

Becoming a Tree City USA requires a municipality to have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual forestry budget of $2 per capita, and a formal observance of Arbor Day. The program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forestry Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

“The trees being planted and cared for by Stevens Point are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride.”