The Township’s annual Arbor Day celebration was held on Saturday, April 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Hamlet Crest Park. The event began with a reading of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Proclamation and opening remarks by Supervisors Ashley Gagné and Tinamarie Smith. Also in attendance were Supervisors Shaun Walsh and John Hellmann, State Representative Chris Pielli of the 156th District, and Chester County Commissioners Marian D. Moskowitz and Josh Maxell. Rep. Pielli and the commissioners spoke about the importance and support of the natural environment as we face new challenges due to climate change and praised the Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) for organizing the event and furthering public awareness.
Following opening remarks, SAC member Barbara Rinehart, who planned and managed the event, spoke to the group about the Miyawaki method of planting trees: close together, replicating how they grow naturally in a forest. She also provided instructions to volunteers on how to follow a detailed color-coded plan that matched the 13 different tree and shrub types to their site location, leaving little room for error and promoting visual variety.
SAC member and Henderson High physics teacher Scott deLone, with the help of student Sam Canto, provided a step-by-step demonstration to volunteers on the proper planting technique. Nearly two dozen volunteers working in shifts began planting 120 small trees and shrubs donated by The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership and the Chester County Conservation District. The installation consists of 40 canopy trees, 40 understory trees, and 40 shrubs. The effort, which supports the township’s proud designation as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation, represents the first phase of a planned three-year planting program at the park.
This year’s Arbor Day celebration aspired to build community with township residents, government officials, and businesses; encourage residents to reduce turf areas; increase biodiversity in the park by expanding woodland habitat; and set the stage for an ongoing township-wide reforestation project. Visitors learned about the benefits of trees and the grassroots Homegrown National Park movement and took advantage of free giveaways of reusable grocery bags and 150 tree seedlings donated by Bartlett Tree Experts.
Read more about the event in the May 2 edition of The Daily Local, written by reporter Bill Rettew HERE.