(WHITE TWP., April 25, 2007) – With woodlands covering nearly half of its area, you know trees are important to Warren County.
The Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders recognized the significance of trees as they proclaimed April 27 as Arbor Day, then awarded medals, ribbons and certificates to five students who were winners of an Arbor Day poster and story contest.
“Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal,” Freeholder Director Everett A. Chamberlain said. They also provide materials to build our houses and they cleanse our air, he said, noting that one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen, “enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.”
Chamberlain also pointed out that trees provide habitat for wildlife, they can reduce erosion of precious topsoil, and when properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and save 20 to 50 percent in energy used for heating.
“They are a renewable resource, but they need our help,” Freeholder John DiMaio said as he endorsed the importance of celebrating Arbor Day. Also, DiMaio remarked, “It’s just a pleasure sitting under a tree on a hot day and taking a break sometimes.”
Freeholder Richard D. Gardner pointed out there are about 40,000 acres of state or federally protect forests in Warren County. Moreover, “Warren County is home to some of the largest trees in the state.”
According to Milly Rice, secretary of the Warren County Shade Tree Commission, Warren County boasts of having New Jersey’s largest Sycamore in Hope, the largest Eastern Cottonwood near Johnsonburg, the largest Red Oak in Mansfield, and the largest Black Spruce in Worthington State Forest in Hardwick. Meanwhile, the state is ascertaining whether a White Oak in Lopatcong is the state’s largest.
About 110,000 of Warren County’s 233,312 acres are woodlands.
To celebrate Arbor Day, the freeholders, along with Rice and county Shade Tree Commission Chairman Bill Kohler, honored the five students from the second and third grades whose posters and writing were judged the best in the contest conducted by the county.
Those recognized were Julie Ann Karabinus and Emily Cort of White Township School, and Samantha Fernicola, Allison Zilberfarb and Vanessa Neice of Frelinghuysen School.
All participants created posters, while the third graders wrote stories on the topic “What Arbor Day Means to Me – Why You Should Plant a Tree,” and the second graders wrote eight to 10 sentences about an animal, bird or insect that builds its home in a tree.
Arbor Day was first proposed in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture, and first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. It is now observed throughout the nation and world, usually on the last Friday in April. |
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Warren County Shade Tree Commission Secretary Milly Rice and Chairman Bill Kohler join Freeholders Richard Gardner, Director Everett Chamberlain and John DiMaio in honoring the winners of an Arbor Day poster and story contest. The winners are (l-r) Emily Cort, Julie Ann Karabinus, Vanessa Neice, Samantha Fernicola and Allison Zilberfarb. |
ARBOR DAY OBSERVANCE
APRIL 27, 2007
WHEREAS, in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and
WHEREAS, this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, with states passing legislation to observe Arbor Day and the tradition began in schools nationwide in 1882; and
WHEREAS, Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world; and today the most common date for the state observances is the last Friday in April and several U.S. Presidents have proclaimed a national Arbor Day on that date; Theodore Roosevelt stated “A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as hopeless; forests which are so used that they cannot renew themselves will soon vanish and with them, all their benefits.”; and
WHEREAS, trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating; one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen, enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people and also provide habitat for wildlife; and
WHEREAS, trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders hereby proclaim April 27, 2007 as Arbor Day in the County of Warren and urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands; and
FURTHER, we urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations.
Everett A. Chamberlain, Director
John DiMaio, Deputy Director
Richard D. Gardner, Freeholder
Board of Chosen Freeholders |