Posted Thursday, April 20, 2023.
Arboretum Dedication Set for April 29
HUNTINGTON – The City of Huntington will celebrate the dedication of its new arboretum with a volunteer event and community festival. Both will take place the same weekend as Arbor Day on Saturday, April 29, at Evergreen Park, 1370 Evergreen Road.
Volunteers will join members of the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Environmental Stewardship (MACES) between 8 and 10 a.m. to mulch trees planted last April at Evergreen Park’s arboretum.
“Mulching is vital to the long-term viability of these young trees,” said MACES member Kathryn Lisinicchia. “We had a fantastic group of volunteers last year. Now we need help this year to care for the trees they planted at the Arboretum.”
Huntington Parks & Recreation will provide a small number of shovels, gloves and other tools, but it is recommended that volunteers bring their own if possible.
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The arboretum contains over 100 trees from more than 40 species for visitors to learn about and enjoy.
The official dedication and festival will begin at 10 a.m. April 29. Nature activities for the entire family, a rain barrel demonstration and exhibits and giveaways by community groups will be featured alongside a food truck and live music. Event attendees can vote on their favorite rain barrels painted by local artists or even bid in a silent auction to take one home.
The volunteer event and dedication ceremony are planned to proceed rain or shine. In case of severe weather, an event announcement will be made on the City of Huntington website and Facebook page.
On February 28, Huntington was named a 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Huntington has maintained its Tree City USA for several years. The program has four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Arbor Day Foundation sponsors the Tree City USA program in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
“Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Huntington are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”
If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and extreme heat and flooding. Huntington is doing its part to address these challenges for residents both now and in the future.
More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
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