From Harford County government:
Harford County celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, March 29, 2013. The event was held on the grounds of the Edgewood Elementary School and the adjacent Boys and Girls Club located at 2000 Cedar Drive in Edgewood.
Arbor Day 2013 marks the tenth consecutive year that Harford County has earned the Tree City USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree City USA designation recognizes the work of elected officials, staff and citizens who plant and care for the community forest.
Arbor Day 2013 officially began with a proclamation presentation by County Executive David R. Craig and Pete Gutwald, Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning to Betsey Greene of the Department of Planning and Zoning who coordinated the Arbor Day event.
Arbor Day included planting of approximately 200 seedlings and 127 street trees approximately four – six feet in height. Urban trees beautify and enhance local communities and provide environmental benefits by filtering air, shading and cooling adjacent building and paved areas and by absorbing stormwater runoff.
The event also included displays, exhibits, refreshments and a free tree for all who participated. Approximately 250 men, women and children participated in the planting seedlings.
The Harford County Arbor Day Celebration and Conservation Project is sponsored by Harford County Government and the Harford County Forestry Board.
County Executive Craig and Director Gutwald accepted the Tree USA designation and the Tree City USA Growth award for increasing the per capita spending on tree related activities in Harford County. This year marks the 10th consecutive year Harford County has received the Tree City USA designation.
Additionally, Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning received the PLANT award (People Loving and Nurturing Trees) from the Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Committee. This year marked the 9th consecutive year Harford County has received the PLANT award.
The Arbor Day Foundation began in 1972 on the 100th anniversary of the first Arbor Day. The Foundation recognizes more than 3,300 communities through the Tree City USA program, which honors cities and towns that are committed to planting and nurturing trees. The Harford County plantings are funded entirely by the Harford County Forest Conservation Act. The Harford County Forest Conservation Law was enacted on July 18, 1991 to insure that tree and forest resources continue to benefit the community.
Commenting on the Tree City USA designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation, County Executive David R. Craig stated, “We are delighted to once again be honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation with the prestigious Tree City USA award. I congratulate the Department of Planning and Zoning, the Harford County Forestry Board and countless volunteers who help make this award possible.
It was a great day and a great turn out. More than we expected. I was glad to donate my day to such a good cause.
Our family volunteered at the event for the second year in a row. The kids had a great time learning how to plant and properly mulch the trees and visiting all the educational booths. I like doing community service on Good Fridy.