Fernandina Beach celebrates Arbor Day and 12th year as Tree City USA

City of Fernandina Beach

PRESS RELEASE

Submitted by Kelly N. Gibson

The City of Fernandina Beach has received its 12th consecutive year of national recognition as a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation. This represents the City’s continued commitment honoring community forestry.

On Sunday, April 27, 2014 the City will celebrate Arbor Day by hosting a ceremonial tree planting event at 1pm at the Amelia River Waterfront Park Petanque Courts. The tree planting ceremony has been planned in coordination with the Petanque America group and the Amelia Tree Conservancy. Event festivities include a pot-luck lunch, live music, petanque games, and a Treasured Tree Trolley Tour. The Treasured Tree Trolley Tour quickly sold out its tickets within just a few days. Members of the Amelia Tree Conservancy hope to offer this type of tour again at a later date.

Trees for this year’s Arbor Day have been donated by a local landscape company, NuVision, and include one live oak and five palm trees. These trees will be placed at the Waterfront to frame the northern edge of the existing petanque courts. The City invites members of the public to come participate in this fun Sunday afternoon event.

Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 as a tree planting holiday in Nebraska. It is generally observed on the last Friday in April. For more information about Arbor Day you can go to the Arbor Day Foundation’s website at www.arborday.org or contact them at 1-888-448-7337.

For more information, visit www.fbfl.us or contact Kelly N. Gibson, Senior Planner.

April 14, 2014 10:15 a.m.