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SARAH CAVACINI/Palatka Daily News. A forester with the Florida Forest Service and local Arbor Day enthusiasts prepare to plant a live oak tree Friday on the St. Johns River State College campus in Palatka. -
TRISHA MURPHY/Palatka Daily News. Julio Perez, right, local horticulture agent, who is part of the Palatka Tree Committee and the St. Johns River State College Tree Campus Committee, talks to guests about the plants and trees that were given at the Arbor Day celebration in Interlachen on Friday. -
SARAH CAVACINI/Palatka Daily News. Palatka Mayor Robbi Correa, local horticulture agent Julio Perez, and Keep Putnam Beautiful Executive Director Nicole Grace lift dirt Friday as they prepare to plant a live oak tree to celebrate Arbor Day at St. Johns River State College in Palatka. -
TRISHA MURPHY/Palatka Daily News. Julio Perez, left, local horticulture agent, who is part of the Palatka Tree Committee and the St. Johns River State College Tree Campus Committee, talks to Interlachen Mayor Ken Larsen and his wife, Laverne, about the plants and trees that were given at the Arbor Day celebration in the town on Friday. -
Positively Putnam
There is a clock ticking and area residents around Putnam County are doing their part to meet the deadline by joining forces with The Arbor Day Foundation around the world in planting 500 million trees in 50 years.
According to Julio Perez, local horticulture agent, who is part of the Palatka Tree Committee and the St. Johns River State College Tree Campus Committee, he believes the Arbor Day Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization says it best on their website arborday.org/celebrate/history.cfm.
“The simple act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty all for a better tomorrow,” he said.
Five Arbor Day celebrations were scheduled in Putnam County this month, including in Pomona Park on Jan. 12, Palatka and Interlachen on Friday, Crescent City today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Eva Lyon Park, 100 Summit St. and one in Welaka on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m.-noon in Downtown Park, 101 Palmetto St.
The Palatka celebration drew an estimated 25 people who watched as a live oak tree was planted at the college.
The program started indoors at Valhalla Hall with a welcome by Joe H. Pickens, president of the college and a city proclamation read by Mayor Roberta M. Correa. Special speakers included Palmer Kinser of the Garden Club of Palatka and Perez. Nicole Grace, executive director of Keep Putnam Beautiful, gave an inspirational reading and closing remarks followed by the tree planting ceremony. Blake Josephson, a forester with the Florida Forest Service, offered games to guests for a chance to win a free sapling.
Perez said the college is recognized as a Tree Campus while Palatka is a Tree City.
“The college has a lot of space where trees can be planted and offer a location and the city of Palatka makes arrangements for the donation of the tree,” he said.
On Friday in Interlachen, Mayor Ken Larsen and his wife, Laverne, were honored during the Arbor Day event, where the mayor read a proclamation inside the historic town hall.
“This was a total surprise to us,” said Ken Larsen.
During the celebration, Joni Payne, town clerk, recognized the Larsens with a Loblolly pine that will be planted sometime soon at Jenkins Park. A reception followed.
“My wife loves trees,” Mr. Larsen said. “She is a bonafide tree hugger.”
The Larsens' love of trees was extended to the community years ago after a Theodore Cedar tree was planted at Jenkins Park in memory of nine of their 26 special needs children they adopted.
“It looks like a weeping willow,” Mr. Larsen said. “I purchased one in Georgia and brought it home and got permission from the town to plant it at the park.”
Designated a Tree City, the Arbor Day program in Interlachen included special speakers Perez and Tim Keyser, who is part of the tree board for the town. Master of ceremonies was Ronald Stephens, tree board chairman, and the welcome was given by Town Council Chairwoman Carolyn Meadows. Those who attended the program were given a chance in a drawing to win seedlings donated by the county forester and town or shrubs donated by the Garden Club of Interlachen. An estimated more than 50 people were in attendance.
Perez said Arbor Day is a call to action to plant, nurture and protect the very essence of life that trees represent and he believes in the foundation’s mission – “Let’s Grow A Movement.”
“It is an invitation to participate in the cycle of growth and renewal, to leave a legacy for future generations,” he said. “The simple act of planting a tree today is an investment in a sustainable and vibrant tomorrow.”