Branson News Guide

City to hold Arbor Day celebration April 27

For the 12th consecutive year, the National Arbor Day Foundation has named the city of Branson a Tree City USA.
Branson is also the recipient of the Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program. The Growth Award was created to recognize environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities. It’s the ninth year the city has received this recognition.

“It’s truly an honor to again receive this environmental recognition,” said Debbie Redford, Branson’s environmental specialist. “It’s an award that focuses on a commitment our city officials and residents have made to plant, maintain and protect trees so we can pass on an enduring heritage of a vital natural resource to future generations.”

City officials are planning an Arbor Day celebration on April 27, 10 a.m. at Stockstill Park near the ball fields. The ceremony will feature music by entertainers from the Red, Hot, and Blue show. Two classes from Cedar Ridge Elementary School will be attending the ceremony that also includes a mayor’s proclamation, the presentation of the Tree City USA award, and the traditional tree planting.

This year the city will plant a Bald Cypress and White Oak along the new trail connecting Stockstill Park with Skaggs Community Health Center, according to Cheryl Moeller, city forester.

Something new at this year’s ceremony will be a drawing for free trees provided by Gift of Green.

To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.

John Rosenow, president of the National Arbor Day Foundation said Tree City USA and the Growth Award uniquely recognize communities like Branson that have proven their commitment to an effective, ongoing community forestry program.

“The Tree City USA award is an excellent indication that there is a solid foundation for a process of renewal and improvement – a program of tree planting and care that continues through the years,” Rosenow said. “Our congratulations to the Branson community on receiving this national recognition for your tree-care program.”

The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service sponsors the Tree City USA program.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 at 11:14 am and is filed under Branson News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.