STUDENTS AND LOCAL TREE CARE PROGRAMS HONORED AT NEW
JERSEY’S ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
(08/28) TRENTON - The New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection Community Forestry Program, the New Jersey
Community Forestry Council, and the New Jersey Tree Foundation
today celebrated Arbor Day by planting 178 large shade trees and
evergreens around the Heavenly Farms Recreational Complex and Cultural
Center in East Brunswick.
“Trees are an essential element
in our effort to combat global climate change,” DEP Commissioner
Lisa P. Jackson said. “Planting trees helps remove carbon
from the atmosphere and reduces greenhouse gases. Trees also improve
air quality, lower energy costs and contribute significantly to
the quality of life in New Jersey’s communities.”
More
than 325 volunteers participated in the Arbor Day festivities by
planting 178 shade trees and evergreens around the new cultural
center at Heavenly Farms. More than 15 different species of trees
were planted to begin an arboretum for future tree identification
and training opportunities. The species include White Spruce, Douglass
Fir, Red Oak, Bald Cypress, Sawtooth Oak, Scarlet Oak, Shingle
Oak, Pin Oak, Valley Forge Elm, Sweetgum, Hedge Maple, October
Glory Maple, Red Sunset Maple, Shadblow Serviceberry, and Kentucky
Coffeetree.
The DEP presented Tree City USA awards to communities
marking their 30th, 20th and 1st anniversaries and the prestigious
Joyce Kilmer Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated
a strong commitment to New Jersey’s community forests. The
DEP also recognized the 13 winners of the Arbor Day calendar contest
for students.
Recipients of the Joyce Kilmer Award this year are
Gregory M. Hurley, of East Brunswick, and William J. Porter, a
Rumson resident. Both men were honored for their unwavering commitment
to advancing urban and community forestry across New Jersey.
Hurley
has served as city forester for both East Brunswick and New Brunswick,
and also mentors youth groups on urban forestry. Porter is an arborist
with his own company, located in Rumson. Both men also are members
of the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation.
In recognition of its
exemplary dedication to tree care and management, East Brunswick
was chosen to host this year’s Arbor Day celebration. The
municipality also reached a milestone this year; town officials
received a 30th anniversary Tree City USA award, making East Brunswick
only the fourth municipality to achieve this distinction. Merchantville
Borough in Camden County also received the 30th anniversary Tree
City USA award this year.
“The Township of East Brunswick
and our residents appreciate being recognized as a Tree City for
30 consecutive years,” Mayor William P. Neary said. “It
is also a befitting honor to be selected this year to host the
statewide Tree City celebration on this property, which is our
most recent park. This park was made possible through a combined
effort utilizing Open Space funds from the State of New Jersey,
Middlesex County and the Township of East Brunswick, which purchased
this 147-acre property from the developer, who would have constructed
hundreds of homes in this rural part our town.
“As you can
see, we have only begun to make Heavenly Farms Sports and Cultural
Arts Center a hub of activity for our residents. We appreciate
your efforts today by planting 178 trees, which will not only add
to the beauty of this park, but continues our commitment to the
goals of being a Tree City USA,” Mayor Neary said.
Established
in 1976, Tree City USA is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation
in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
Tree
City USA awards recognize cities, counties and military bases that
have developed a comprehensive tree management program. New Jersey
leads the Northeast with 147 communities that have earned Tree
City USA status for this year.
The New Jersey Forest Service’s
Community Forestry Program facilitates the development of state-approved
Community Forestry Management Plans in municipalities, counties
and military bases across the Garden State. These plans prioritize
a five-year schedule of community forestry management activities
and work toward liability protection for the community.
The DEP
has been promoting Arbor Day statewide since 1949, when the New
Jersey Legislature designated the last Friday in April as the official
day to honor trees and the people who take care of them.
TREE CITY USA ANNIVERSARY AWARDS FOR ARBOR DAY 2008
30th Year |
Merchantville and East Brunswick |
|
|
20th Year |
Cranbury Township, Middlesex County
Interlaken
Borough, Monmouth County
Pennington Borough, Mercer County
Riverton Borough, Burlington
County |
|
|
1st Year |
Riverdale Borough, Morris County
Norwood Borough,
Bergen County
Oakland Borough, Bergen County
Rutherford Borough,
Bergen County
Hanover Township, Morris County |
Hundreds of pieces of original artwork were entered into this
year’s statewide student Arbor Day calendar contest. Following
are this year’s first-place winners:
NJ STATEWIDE STUDENT ARBOR DAY CALENDAR ART CONTEST 1st PLACE
WINNERS
Grade K |
Andrew Chen |
Cornerstone Christian School |
East Brunswick |
Grade 1 |
Lucia Choi |
James Madison Primary School |
Edison |
Grade 2 |
Stephen Kleczkowski |
Keil School |
Kinnelon |
Grade 3 |
Anabelle Malamug |
Little Fish Art School |
Edison |
Grade 4 |
Michelle Qiou |
James Madison Intermediate School |
Edison |
Grade 5 |
Tiffany Jonassen |
Eleanor Van Gelder School |
Edgewater |
Grade 6 |
Emily Lin |
John Adams Middle School |
Edison |
Grade 7 |
Sofia Fernandez |
Ironbound Catholic Academy |
Clifton |
Grade 8 |
Kimberly Hickson |
Patrick M. Villano School |
Emerson |
Grade 9 |
Abdul Latif |
Passaic County Technical Institute |
Paterson |
Grade 10 |
Emily Watts |
Moorestown Friends School |
Moorestown |
Grade 11 |
Silvia Sarceno |
McNair Academic High School |
Jersey City |
Grade 12 |
Rab Menguito |
McNair Academic High School |
Jersey City |
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