Gardnerville joins thousands as Tree City USA

The cultivation of trees is the cultivation of the good, the beautiful, and the ennobling in man.

- J. Sterling Morton

Gardnerville joins Reno, Carson City, Sparks, Henderson and Boulder City as an official Tree City USA. A proclamation is expected on National Arbor Day April 25.

"This was something we have been working on for 2 1/2 years," said Jim Park, Gardnerville town manager. "I am extremely proud of the community. Trees are a big part of the environment, and to have the community recognize the importance of having trees is just outstanding."

Last year, the National Arbor Day Foundation recognized a record 2,559 communities as a Tree City USA, honoring their commitment to the health of their urban forests.

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. It was founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, and is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April.

There are four standards to being named a Tree City USA: having a tree board or department in place; a tree-care ordinance; a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita; and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The standards were established to ensure that every qualifying community would have a viable tree-management plan and program.

Carson City was named a Tree City eight years ago.

Park said tree-planting efforts were aided in Gardnerville by students from Gardnerville Elementary School and the General Electric Elfin Team, which planted nearly 40 trees in Heritage Park.

He said Gardnerville will make an official proclamation and get a certificate and plaque from the Nevada Department of Forestry. The city will also install signs designating it as a Tree City at each end of town.

Gardnerville Elementary School student Sydney MacKey won the state contest portion of the National Arbor Day organization poster contest in 2002. She was awarded a $100 savings bond, a T-shirt, and educational certificates and materials for her classroom.

A similar contest for area school-age children is being held. The regional and statewide winners will be announced in time for Arbor Day 2003.

ON THE NET

National Arbor Day Foundation

www.arborday.org