2007 marked the fifteenth year that Cambridge was recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as a Tree City USA. Cambridge was also among twenty-two communities presented with the first ever Massachusetts Sustainable Community Forestry Award for achieving a particularly high standard of community forest management.

From left: DCR Acting Commissioner Priscilla Geigis, Cambridge DPW Parks and Forestry arborists Kelly Writer and Dick Woods, and DCR Chief Forester Jim DeMaio at the May 24 Tree City USA Ceremony.

This award is based on six measures that reflect the strength of our community forestry efforts. These measures include: Attainment of Tree City USA status; implementation of a community forest management plan that is based on a resource inventory; the presence of a community forestry advocacy group; the presence of trained and experienced professional forestry staff; implementation of a local tree protection ordinance or enforcement of state laws relevant to public trees and forests; and evidence of strong interagency communication within the municipal government relevant to tree and forestry issues.

The Department of Public Works is very proud of this recognition as we continue to build the strongest possible urban forestry program for the City of Cambridge.