Chattanooga Hosts State Arbor Day Celebration

Chattanooga – Recognizing the importance of trees to Tennessee, Governor Phil Bredesen recently signed a proclamation declaring March 5, 2010, as Arbor Day. Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. This year’s state celebration will be held in Chattanooga, a Tree City USA community.

 

"Arbor Day reminds us to be good stewards to the environment that provides us with many resources and a picturesque landscape." said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “Our Division of Forestry is continuously working to help landowners and communities include trees in their land management plans.”

 

By earning the title of Tree Board of the Year, the City of Chattanooga was automatically chosen to host the state Arbor Day celebration. A tree board is a group of concerned volunteer citizens charged with developing and administering a comprehensive tree management program. The tree board is a requirement for Tree City USA designation by the national Arbor Day Foundation.

 

Founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. A number of state Arbor Days are celebrated at different times of the year to coincide with the best tree planting weather. Tennessee celebrates Arbor Day the first Friday of March every year.

 

The Arbor Day celebration will take place at the Walker Pavilion and the Peace Grove in Coolidge Park on March 5th at 11 a.m. EST. This year’s ceremony in Chattanooga will feature the planting of a new American Elm Tree in the center of the Peace Grove in Coolidge Park. Representatives from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Chattanooga Tree Commission, Chattanooga Sister Cities, City of Chattanooga and Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations will be in attendance. Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations and ECD will also announce a new initiative to fund a city wide tree planting grant for the City of Chattanooga at the event.

 

TDA’s Division of Forestry works to protect the forests that cover half the state and provides more than 60,000 jobs. Forests help promote clean water, wildlife habitat and recreation. Last year, TDA awarded more than $252,000 in Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program community tree planning grants. The grants assist cities and towns in maintaining and increasing their tree resource.

 

For more information on the Tennessee Division of Forestry, visit www.TN.gov/agriculture/forestry. For more information on Arbor Day, visit www.arborday.org.