Duncan Urges Council To Approve Forest Funding At Maryland Arbor Day Celebration; Montgomery County Recognized As Tree City USA

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Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Jim Caldwell, 240-777-7700

For Immediate Release: April 4, 2001

Duncan Urges Council to Approve Forest Funding
at Maryland Arbor Day Celebration;
Montgomery County Recognized as Tree City USA

At a celebration today of Maryland Arbor Day, Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan urged the County Council to approve funding for the Forest Preservation Strategy outlined in his FY02 budget. In honor of Montgomery County’s designation as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, Duncan planted two Aristocrat pear trees in the Fox Hills West neighborhood, which has lost more than 1,200 Bradford pear trees due to storm damage.

“Improving our County’s environment, as well as protecting it for future generations, is a critical goal,” said Duncan. “I’m very proud that Montgomery County has been named a Tree City USA. Balancing our desire for community growth and the demand for forest and tree preservation is difficult at times, but this national recognition shows that we are on the right path. To ensure continued protection of our county’s tree canopy, I urge the County Council to fully fund a critical component of the forest preservation strategy – the improvement and renewal of community trees and forests throughout the County.”

Duncan’s FY02 budget calls for planting of more than 1,900 new street trees; hiring of a County arborist to coordinate, oversee, and report on the County's progress in implementing the recommendations of the Forest Preservation Task Force; setting up a $25,000 fund to encourage voluntary tree plantings on private property; and increasing tree maintenance.

“Trees are a vital part of the quality of life in Montgomery County,” said James Caldwell, director of the County’s Department of Environmental Protection. “Recognizing and investing in trees as ‘green’ infrastructure will be a key component of a successful forest preservation strategy.”

Last month, Montgomery County received notice the Tree City USA designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation. To become a Tree City USA, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.

Last December Duncan formed a public-private Forest Preservation Task Force to develop a Countywide Forest Preservation Strategy. The strategy establishes a long-term commitment by the citizens and government of Montgomery County to increase the quantity and improve the quality of forests and trees and restore and protect natural forest ecosystems in the County.

“The Forestry Board, through unanimous vote, supports Mr. Duncan’s forestry budget proposals for next year and wants to do everything we can to ensure that the funding is approved,” said Joe Howard, Forest Conservancy District Board Member and member of the Forest Preservation Task Force.

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care. Although National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, Maryland’s Arbor Day is the first Wednesday in April. Many states observe Arbor Day on different dates according to their best tree-planting times.

For more information about Arbor Day, go to www.arborday.org.

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