Item 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-
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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 .
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MAYOR J