Arbor Day Proclamation
Proclamation
W~Q!;l\Q!;D, in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of
Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of
trees, and
W~Q!;l\Q!;D, this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the
planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and
W~Q!;l\Q!;D, Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the
world, and
W~Q!;l\Q!;D, trees can reduce the erosion of our precious top soil by wind
and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the
temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide
habitat for wildlife, and
W~Q!;l\Q!;D, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our
homes, fuel for out fires, and countless other wood products,
and
W~Q!;l\Q!;D, trees in our city increase property values, enhance the
economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our
community, and
W~Q!;l\Q!;D, trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and
spiritual renewal.
~ 7~ Therefore, I, S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor of the City of Ocoee, do
hereby proclaim April 24, 2009 to be
ARBOR DAY
in the City of Ocoee, and 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 hearts and promote the well
being of present and future generations.
IN WITNESS WHEROF, I hereunto have
Set my hand and caused the Seal of the
City of Ocoee, Florida to be affixed this
21 st day of April 2009.
S. SctI1t VcuuWupdft, .AtUupvt
For more information,
contact Mark Derowitsch,
Public Relations Manager, at
mderowitsch@arbordav.orq
or call 888-448-7337.
News from
@ Arbor Day Foundation'"
211 N. 12th St. · Lincoln, NE 68508. 888.448-7337. arborday.org
We illspire people to plant, llurture, and celebrate trees.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Ocoee Named Tree City USA@ by the Arbor Day Foundation
Ocoee, FL has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor
its commitment to community forestry.
It is the first year Ocoee has received this national recognition.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the
National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
Ocoee has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: having a tree board
or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an
Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Communities that receive Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet these
four standards, they recognize that:
. Trees promote healthier communities. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing
dust and other particles.
. Trees moderate climate, conserve water and provide habitat for wildlife.
. Trees in urban areas reduce the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings.
. Properly placed trees can increase property values, and buildings in wooded areas
rent more quickly and tenants stay longer.
"A community, its elected officials and its citizens that provide needed care for its trees deserves
recognition and thanks," said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation.
"Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, and they also provide
environmental and economical benefits. Cities that are recognized with a Tree City USA
designation go to great lengths to plant and care for the community forest."
More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arbordaV.orq/TreeCitvUSA.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental, an education organization of nearly
one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arbordaV.orq.
''''.. ..._w'
~Arbor Day Foundation'"
211 N. 12th St. · Lincoln, NE 68508. 888-448-7337. arborday.org
We inspire people to pla11t, 11urture, a11d celebrate trees.
February 27,2009
The Honorable S. Scott Vandergrift
Mayor of the City of Ocoee
150 N. Lakeshore Drive
Ocoee, FL 34761
Dear Mayor Vandergrift,
We congratulate Ocoee on having achieved Tree City USA@ status for 200B-an
accomplishment that assures all your citizens of greater opportunities than they may yet realize!
As you already know, trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in cities and towns,
providing environmental and economical benefits. Trees in urban areas reduce the heat island
effect caused by pavement and buildings. Properly placed trees can increase property values.
Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles.
We have prepared the enclosed press release for your convenience as you prepare to
contact local media outlets to share this commendable achievement with the public. We hope
you are excited to share the significance of this accomplishment with the media. If you wish to
receive this press release in electronic form, please email mderowitsch@arbordav.orQ. We will
send it to you within one work day.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored in cooperation with the National Association of
State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. State foresters are responsible for the
presentation of the Tree City USA flag and other materials. We will forward your awards to
Shirley Frazier in your state forester's office. They will be coordinating the presentation with
you. It would be especially appropriate to make the Tree City USA award a part of your Arbor
Day ceremony. '
Again, we celebrate your diligence in improving the quality of life for the citizens of Ocoee
and thank you for creating a healthier, more sustainable world for us all.
Best regards,
~~
John Rosenow
Chief Executive
cc: Jeffery Hayes
Enclosure
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