Arboretum dedicated during Arbor Day Celebration at Landreth Park
May 3, 2010
Officials from the City of Joplin and Empire District Electric Company gathered at Landreth Park today with members of the community to recognize the importance of trees in our yards, community, and world as they celebrated Arbor Day. Joplin Mayor Mike Woolston read a Proclamation naming April 30, 2010 as Arbor Day for the City of Joplin. In addition, the Joplin Utility Arboretum was dedicated during the event.
Developed by Empire District, Mike Palmer, Vice President of Commercial Operations with the utility company, noted the significance of educating citizens about proper tree selections and placements near power lines.
“Landreth Park is used by thousands of residents each year,” said Palmer. “As they walk or ride along the trail, they can see how trees can be planted without interfering with power lines, as well as note which types of trees are good resources for this situation. Empire is proud to provide this gift to the City of Joplin, as it serves as an educational investment to improve our community.”
The utility arboretum includes dozens of attractive tree plantings that have been specifically selected and placed in relation to power and utility lines. The Arboretum serves as a living example of how trees and power lines can coexist successfully.
The event also celebrated Joplin’s recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA and Empire’s selection as a Tree Line USA utility. Jon Skinner, Missouri Department of Conservation, presented the Tree City USA continuing award and the Tree City USA Growth Award to Mayor Woolston. The Growth Award is provided by The Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, to recognize environmental improvement and encourage higher levels of tree care throughout America. This award is designed not only to recognize achievement, but also to communicate new ideas and help the leaders of all Tree City USAs plan for improving community tree care.
To become a Tree City USA, cities must initiate four standards: 1) enact a community tree ordinance that addresses how the City will actively take care of public trees; 2) establish a board to provide guidance to the City on these efforts; 3) commit to a community forestry program with a financial obligation based on a per capita basis; and 4) host a community observance and proclamation of Arbor Day to provide education about proper tree care.
The City of Joplin pursued this designation in response to the December 2007 ice storm that resulted in a large amount of damage to trees in parks and public right of ways.
In honor of the dedication and special awards recognition, various species of trees were given away to the public along with guidelines on proper planting and care. For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 624-0820, ext. 204. For information about Empire’s vegetation management program and utility arboretum projects, go to www.empiredistrict.com/trees.
|
