Cyclist to plant trees as part of international eco-campaign
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ABOVE: Bellefontaine Tree Commission member Beth Harman, center, prunes a tree with a hand saw as tree steward volunteers Roger Kauffman and Deb Baker look on during Tuesday’s work day in downtown Bellefontaine. HOME PAGE SLIDE SHOW PHOTO: Volunteer tree steward John Aiken uses a pole saw to prune a tree along west Columbus Avenue as Bellefontaine Tree Commission Chairwoman Shelley Moore looks on during a work day Tuesday. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | REUBEN MEES) |
As Arbor Day nears, a team of volunteers dedicated to protecting and preserving the city’s urban forest is ramping up its activities as an area cyclist plans to plant trees as part of an international ecocampaign.
Among the first signs that spring is officially upon us, three members of the Bellefontaine Shade Tree Commission and seven new volunteer tree stewards were out pruning trees throughout downtown Tuesday.
But as April progresses, city residents can expect to see new trees planted along east Williams Avenue where others were taken down recently at Mary Rutan Park; a Beavercreek man with a passion for trees and bicycles will stop in the city to help plant trees at the Carter Avenue terminus of the Simon Kenton Trail and Southview Park will get 15 new trees.
“We are just very excited we have more opportunities to plant more trees,” Shade Tree Commission Chairwoman Shelley Moore said. “We’re focusing on planting native trees, which are more sustainable than exotic trees and more adaptable to the environment that exists here.”
She said 12 local residents have begun training to become certified tree stewards and seven of those individuals were out completing their first four hours of volunteer service Tuesday.
John Aiken, a landscaper by trade, said he is able to get professional experience and knowledge through the volunteer work while giving back to the community.
“It helps with my ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certification, but it’s also a chance for me to help the community and give back,” he said as he pruned a tree along west Columbus Avenue.
Read complete story in Wednesday’s Examiner.
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