Arbor Day Foundation names Hanscom Tree City USA community

  • Published
  • By Karen Guendel
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Hanscom's commitment to urban forestry by naming the base a Tree City USA community for the 23rd consecutive year.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. It recognizes cities and towns committed to caring for trees.

"We commend Hanscom AFB's officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority."

To qualify as a tree city, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Thanks to the efforts of Hanscom Civil Engineering, the base has met these standards for the past 23 years.

Base Civil Engineer Chris Perkins said, "I'm very proud of this achievement and believe that Hanscom holds the Air Force record for the longest number of consecutive years as a Tree City USA base."

In addition to national recognition, the benefits of tree city status include technical assistance in forestry, a framework for forestry action and education and community pride.

According to a news release from the Arbor Day Foundation, the trees cared for under the program benefit Hanscom by:
  • Filtering the air by removing dust and other particles
  • Moderating climate by reducing the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings
  • Conserving water and energy
  • Providing a vital habitat for wildlife
Hanscom is one of more than 3,400 communities nationwide to be designated a tree city. Every year the base celebrates its achievement and renews its commitment to forestry by planting a new tree during its Arbor Day observance.

For more information about the Arbor Day Foundation or the Tree City USA program, visit www.arborday.org.