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Home My WebLink AboutItem II (B) Proclamation - Arbor Day - April 29, 1994 AGENDA 1-18-94 Item II B "CENTER OF GOOD LIVING-PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" lvanavn�W1 1.LVU DiJ1VC.R Ocoee S.SCOTT VANDERGRIFT H 3. CITY OF OCOEE RUSTY N ONERS 150 N.LAKESHORE DRIVE r d PAUL W.FOSTER D OCOEE FLORIDA 34761-2258 VERN COMBS (407)656-2322 JIM GLEASON Of GOOD CITY MANAGER ELLIS SHAPIRO MEMORANDUM TO: The Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissioners FROM: Ellis Shapiro, City Manager DATE: January 13, 1994 RE: ARBOR DAY Several months ago we were contacted by the State Forestry Office to discuss the possibility of our becoming a Tree City. One of the provisions of becoming a Tree City is having an Arbor Day Celebration. It appears the most common date for Arbor Day is the last Friday in April (National Arbor Day), which is April 29, 1994, at which time we must have a ceremony that keeps the public interested in the planting of trees. The attached Proclamation does so. Respectfully Submitted, A- ES:fdg:227 Attachments PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, National Arbor Day has been a tradition in this country since 1972, and WHEREAS, trees have played a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in the City of Ocoee by reducing erosion of topsoil; cleaning the air; producing oxygen; providing a habitat for wildlife; increasing property values; enhancing the economic vitality; and in general beautifying our community; and WHEREAS, the rapid growth of this community requires that we take a more aggressive role in the preservation and development of our urban forest, continuing the wisdom of our forefathers in planting trees for the enjoyment of generations to come, and recognizing the tremendous contribution that our tree canopy has made to our beautify City; and WHEREAS, trees wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal; and are a gift for our children, grandchildren, and the children of generations to come after us . NOW, THEREFORE, I, S . Scott Vandergrift, Mayor of the City of Ocoee, do hereby proclaim April 29, 1994 as ARBOR DAY in the City of Ocoee, and I urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and to support our City' s urban forestry program, and FURTHER, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of present and future generations . DATED, this day of , 1994 . MAYOR OR-D News from .r' The National Arbor Day T 11M14114 e�e� Foundation P4 a joY�O TM For more information,contact 100 Arbor Avenue, John Rosenow,Executive Director Nebraska City,Nebraska 68410 (402)474-5655 THE HISTORY OF ARBOR DAY The idea for Arbor Day originally came from Nebraska. A visit to Nebraska today wouldn ' t disclose that the state was once a treeless plain. Yet it was the lack of trees there that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800 ' s. Among pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his wife were lovers of nature, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs and flowers. Morton was a journalist and soon became editor of Nebraska' s first newspaper. Given that forum, he spread agricultural information and his enthusiasm for trees to an equally enthusiastic audience. His fellow pioneers missed their trees. But more importantly, trees were needed as windbreaks to keep soil from blowing and for fuel and building materials, as well as shade from the hot sun. Morton not only advocated tree planting by individuals in his articles and editorials , but he also encouraged civic organizations and groups of every kind to join in. His prominence in the area increased, and he became secretary of the Nebraska Territory, which provided another opportunity to stress the value of trees. On January 4 , 1872 , Morton first proposed a tree-planting holiday to be called "Arbor Day" at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for planting properly the largest number of trees on that day. It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by the young state' s Gov. Robert W. Furnas on March 12 , 1874 , and the day itself was observed April 8 , 1874 . In 1885 , Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in Nebraska. During the 1870s , other states passed legislation to observe Arbor Day, and the tradition began in schools in 1882 . Today the most common date for the state observances is the last Friday in April, and several U.S. presidents have proclaimed a national Arbor Day on that date. But a number of state Arbor Days are at other times to coincide with the best tree-planting weather, from January and February in the south to May in the far north. Arbor Day has now spread beyond the United States and is observed in many countries of the world. In some it is the king or queen who leads the national celebration, and in many countries exotic trees not suited to North America are planted in commemoration of the day. J. Sterling Morton was proud of the success of Arbor Day and noted, "Other holidays repose upon the past. Arbor Day proposes for the future. " He thought trees much superior to cold marble as a memorial to persons or events. "How much more enduring are the animated trees of our own planting, " he said. ARBOR DAY CEREMONY APRIL 29, 1994 OCOEE, FLORIDA ARBOR DAY PROGRAM AGENDA I. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG II. INVOCATION III. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS IV. ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION S. SCOTT VANDERGRIFT, MAYOR V. GUEST SPEAKER VI. TREE PLANTING CITY COMMISSIONERS VII. ADJOURNMENT TIPS FOR QUALIFYING AS A TREE CITY U.S.A. 1. Review the four required standards at the beginning of the calendar year to give yourself time to meet all the requirements. Consult your local county or urban forester if you have questions. 2. If your community has no tree ordinance, this will probably be your biggest challenge. It can be a slow process and may delay your achieving Tree City USA status. Have a committee appointed and get the ball rolling! 3. The Community Tree Board must be "official"; i.e. , appointed by the Mayor or other appropriate city official and the purpose and authority of that body should be cited in the tree ordinance. 4. After December 31, 1990, tree management expenditures must be at least $2 per capita (for 1990, $1 per capita will be accepted) . You may use documented in-kind services provided by the city and expenditures by a local utility company for tree trimming within your city. 5. Your annual tree management budget and annual work plan (for tree management) must be written, but need not be lengthy. They should be concise (and in outline form if you like) and "to-the-point". 6. Prior to Arbor Day an official proclamation from the Mayor should be issued designating the official day for the celebration of Arbor Day in the community. A proclamation is required every year. 7. Plan for your Arbor Day ceremony well in advance. The most common dates are the third Friday in January (Florida's Arbor Day) or the last Friday in April (National Arbor Day) . An official program is required --- and a copy of the agenda must be submitted with the application. Save copies if newspaper articles or photos to send in with your application. 8. Have your completed application package reviewed by your local county or urban forester and then send it to: Urban Forestry Coordinator Florida Division of Forestry 3125 Conner Boulevard Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650 Deadline is December 31st of each year! , t PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, National Arbor Day has been a tradition in this country since 1972, and WHEREAS, trees have played a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in the City of Ocoee by reducing erosion of topsoil; cleaning the air; producing oxygen; providing a habitat for wildlife; increasing property values; enhancing the economic vitality; and in general beautifying our community; and WHEREAS, the rapid growth of this community requires that we take a more aggressive role in the preservation and development of our urban forest, continuing the wisdom of our forefathers in planting trees for the enjoyment of generations to come, and recognizing the tremendous contribution that our tree canopy has made to our beautify City; and WHEREAS, trees wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal; and are a gift for our children, grandchildren, and the children of generations to come after us . NOW, THEREFORE, I, S . Scott Vandergrift, Mayor of the City of Ocoee, do hereby proclaim April 29, 1994 as ARBOR DAY in the City of Ocoee, and I urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and to support our City' s urban forestry program, and FURTHER, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of present and future generations . DATED, this day of , 1994 . (://Le - MAYOR J