The City of Atlantic Beach, a Tree City USA designee, invites the community to join in the celebration of Arbor Day on Friday, Jan. 20.
The festivities begin at 9 a.m. in front of the police station (at the five-way) with opening remarks by Mayor Curtis Ford and Mark Gabrynowicz, the Environmental Stewardship Committee chair. Atlantic Beach Elementary School Principal Kim Gallagher will then introduce the school’s Going Green Club, and the Arbor Day flag-raising will follow. Attendees are then invited to walk to Atlantic Beach Elementary School, where a tree-planting will be held on the back side of the school off of Poinsettia Street, before walking to Bull Park, where a Heritage Tree plaque will be unveiled.
The City of Atlantic Beach is committed to preserving and enhancing our tree canopy, and Arbor Day -- much like Earth Day -- celebrates nature. Its purpose is to encourage people to plant trees, and many communities traditionally take the opportunity to organize tree-planting and litter-collecting events on or around Arbor Day.
The Tree City USA program provides communities with a framework to maintain and grow their tree cover, and an avenue to celebrate their work and show their residents and others that they are committed to environmental protection and change. As a perennial Tree City USA designee, the City of Atlantic Beach experiences firsthand the benefits trees bring to communities, including but not limited to cooler temperatures, cleaner air, higher property values and healthier residents.
If you are interested in a free tree for your front yard, visit www.coab.us/adoptatree.
For more information on the City’s efforts to protect our tree canopy, visit www.coab.us/trees or email trees@coab.us.