Fairhope, Alabama.
FAULKNER STATE CAMPUS
The annual Arbor Day event and tree sapling giveaway was held this morning downtown: Horticulturist Jennifer Fidler presided over the ceremony -- and entertainment by some Fairhope High School musicians.
(video below)
The first Arbor Day was held in Spain in 1808; the first in the United States in 1872 (Nebraska City, Nebraska). Since 1972, the national Arbor Day Foundation has sponsored the day nationwide.
Mayor Kant thanked everyone for turning out and emphasized the need to re-plant trees that have been damaged over the years by storms, disease and age; he said he hoped the city's tree committee could become more pro-active as well.
He also advised those getting free saplings to think about where they plant them, not "right next to the house" where they may someday do damage and have to be removed.
Fidler read the Mayor's official proclamation of the day, then thanked Tree Committee members Paul Fontenot (Chairman), Patrick Waldrop, Skip Jones, Allison Chang, and Harriet Gutknecht for helping stage the day's activities -- and distribute hundreds of free seedlings afterwards. The Fairhope Garden Club and Master Gardeners also helped.
TREE CITY CERTIFICATION RENEWED
A representative from the Alabama Forestry Commission said the city has met the four criteria for the 31st year in a row -- and presented Fidler with this year's official 'Tree City' sign: She said it will probably be put up on Fairhope Ave.
POSTER CONTEST WINNERS
Fifth grade students Josey Howell and Alissa Adkins won awards for posters they created, to be used in a state/national calendar-picture contest by the Arbor Day Foundation.
BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS PRESENTED
Fidler then presented annual awards for exceptional landscaping efforts (selected by the Tree Committee) to the Objects Building (downtown Section St.) and the new Sunset Pointe restaurant at the Fly Creek marina.
NEW TREASURED TREES NAMED
Committee member Harriet Gutchnect (President of the Wisteria Garden club as well.) then named 11 new significant trees owned by 6 different property owners to the list of the city's Treasured Trees -- judged by their large size and other characteristics:
* Two live oaks on S. Greeno Rd owned by Dr. Rodger Grissett
* A Darlington and live oak owned by Valery Delancey
* A magnolia and live oak owned by Dr. Michael McBrearty
* Three live oaks owned by Dr. Mathew Cepeda of Montrose
* A live oak in Montrose (Taylor St. Owners Assn.)
* A live oak owned by WABF radio (Pecan St.)
GARDEN CLUB PRESENTS CHECK
The Fairhope Garden Club then presented the city with their yearly donation for tree-planting purposes around town.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEW TREE STUDY
Filder said that Beau Brodbeck of the Auburn Cooperative Extension Service has applied for a grant to conduct a survey of all the trees in town (an inventory of the urban forest on both public and private property); he had some volunteers already, but needed more.
Brodbeck said the study hoped to help determine just "what trees are doing for the community."
Contact Fidler or Brodbeck if you want to help with the survey (starts soon).
FAULKNER STATE CAMPUS
 |
| Fidler, Fontenot, poster winners |
The annual Arbor Day event and tree sapling giveaway was held this morning downtown: Horticulturist Jennifer Fidler presided over the ceremony -- and entertainment by some Fairhope High School musicians.
(video below)
The first Arbor Day was held in Spain in 1808; the first in the United States in 1872 (Nebraska City, Nebraska). Since 1972, the national Arbor Day Foundation has sponsored the day nationwide.
Mayor Kant thanked everyone for turning out and emphasized the need to re-plant trees that have been damaged over the years by storms, disease and age; he said he hoped the city's tree committee could become more pro-active as well.
He also advised those getting free saplings to think about where they plant them, not "right next to the house" where they may someday do damage and have to be removed.
Fidler read the Mayor's official proclamation of the day, then thanked Tree Committee members Paul Fontenot (Chairman), Patrick Waldrop, Skip Jones, Allison Chang, and Harriet Gutknecht for helping stage the day's activities -- and distribute hundreds of free seedlings afterwards. The Fairhope Garden Club and Master Gardeners also helped.
TREE CITY CERTIFICATION RENEWED
A representative from the Alabama Forestry Commission said the city has met the four criteria for the 31st year in a row -- and presented Fidler with this year's official 'Tree City' sign: She said it will probably be put up on Fairhope Ave.
 |
| saplings given out |
Fifth grade students Josey Howell and Alissa Adkins won awards for posters they created, to be used in a state/national calendar-picture contest by the Arbor Day Foundation.
BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS PRESENTED
Fidler then presented annual awards for exceptional landscaping efforts (selected by the Tree Committee) to the Objects Building (downtown Section St.) and the new Sunset Pointe restaurant at the Fly Creek marina.
NEW TREASURED TREES NAMED
 |
| WABF, Lori Dubose manager |
Committee member Harriet Gutchnect (President of the Wisteria Garden club as well.) then named 11 new significant trees owned by 6 different property owners to the list of the city's Treasured Trees -- judged by their large size and other characteristics:
* Two live oaks on S. Greeno Rd owned by Dr. Rodger Grissett
* A Darlington and live oak owned by Valery Delancey
* A magnolia and live oak owned by Dr. Michael McBrearty
* Three live oaks owned by Dr. Mathew Cepeda of Montrose
* A live oak in Montrose (Taylor St. Owners Assn.)
* A live oak owned by WABF radio (Pecan St.)
GARDEN CLUB PRESENTS CHECK
The Fairhope Garden Club then presented the city with their yearly donation for tree-planting purposes around town.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEW TREE STUDY
 |
| Brodbeck |
Filder said that Beau Brodbeck of the Auburn Cooperative Extension Service has applied for a grant to conduct a survey of all the trees in town (an inventory of the urban forest on both public and private property); he had some volunteers already, but needed more.
Brodbeck said the study hoped to help determine just "what trees are doing for the community."
Contact Fidler or Brodbeck if you want to help with the survey (starts soon).
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