News release from Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation:
City celebrates Arbor Day at Waynedale Elementary
Fort Wayne Receives Tree City USA® Recognition, Growth Award
(April 26, 2013) — Parks & Recreation Director Al Moll was joined by 2nd and 3rd graders from Waynedale Elementary School, City Councilman Mitch Harper, NIPSCO, Trees Indiana and Superintendent of Urban Forestry Chad Tinkel to celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees in front of Waynedale Elementary School on Elzey Street.
“We had several ash trees removed on Elzey Street and we’ve really missed them,” said Waynedale Elementary Principal Sara Wertman. “We want our building and grounds to be a source of pride for the community of Waynedale. Waynedale Elementary is thrilled to be participating in this Arbor Day event.”
Director Moll announced that Fort Wayne has been named a “Tree City USA” for the 23nd year in a row. This designation–awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters–was earned for the City of Fort Wayne’s tree canopy stewardship and continued commitment to a green city. Fort Wayne also earned a Growth Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation for a higher standard of forestry management of the City’s 65,000 public trees.
NIPSCO donated 5 Tulip trees, 4 Red Oaks and 1 Bur Oak that were planted on Elzey Street, and gave each child attending the event a seedling to plant on their own property. NIPSCO is a member of Tree Line USA and has maintained Tree Line USA status since the program’s inception.
“The Waynedale Community had a lot of ash trees and the Emerald Ash Borer infestation hit them hard,” said Director Moll. “The children at Waynedale Elementary are our future. Showing them how the landscape changes with the addition of trees, and how important it is to nurture our urban forest, is the best way to ensure the message will spread to the next generation.”
“I’m thrilled that the youth of our community played an important role in our Arbor Day Celebration this year,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “Ash Tree removal and replacement continue to be a high priority of my administration.”
More information about Tree City USA can be found at https://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/index.cfm. The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental, and education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.
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