In addition to continuing the city’s tradition in celebrating National Arbor Day with a tree planting ceremony, Milton elected officials and city staff also celebrated the city’s 20-year affiliation with the Arbor Day Foundation’s ‘Tree City USA’ community.
As part of the national program, Milton has met the four standards established by the foundation and National Association of State Foresters. The standards include having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with annual budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation.
Before delivering a proclamation at the event on Friday afternoon, Mayor Wesley Meiss said trees have a historical significance to the city.
“In 1829, Benjamin Jernigan came to the banks of the Blackwater River because he was interested in one thing, the long leaf yellow pine,” Meiss said. “The longleaf yellow pine built this city, so we are a tree city in every sense.”
Guest speaker Ian Stone from the Florida Forest Service along with city council members and Mayor Meiss put the finishing touches in planting three drake elm trees located near the city hall building to conclude the event.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton officials celebrate Arbor Day (VIDEO)