| DEP OFFERS FREE ARBOR DAY
TREE SEEDLINGS TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
(06/15) TRENTON - Working toward a greener
New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner
Lisa P. Jackson today announced free tree seedlings are available
to nonprofit groups and local organizations for Arbor Day celebrations.
"Trees enhance the quality of life for all New Jerseyans
while improving air quality, reducing noise and beautifying our
neighborhoods," Commissioner Jackson said. "I encourage
organizations across the state to observe Arbor Day this year by
planting trees in their communities."
The New Jersey Forest Service has been promoting Arbor Day statewide
since 1949, when the New Jersey Legislature designated the last
Friday in April as the official day to honor trees and the people
who take care of them.
Provided by the state tree nursery in Jackson and funded through
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the 8-inch
tube seedlings are packaged individually in tubes and available
in boxes of 98 through April 7 or while supplies last. Organizations
requesting seedlings will receive either Eastern white pine, Norway
spruce, Douglas fir or Northern red oak - New Jersey's official
state tree. Boxes are selected randomly.
To request a box of seedlings, organizations can complete an order
form available on the DEP's Community Forestry Web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/community/index.html,
or by calling (609) 292-2532. Those interested in receiving more
than one box are asked to make the seedling requests on their organization's
letterhead. All orders should be mailed to: New Jersey Forest Service,
Community Forestry Program, P.O. Box 404, Trenton, NJ 08625.
Shipping and handling is $5 for each box of free seedlings; checks
can be made payable to the State of New Jersey, Forest Service.
Orders can also be picked up at the state tree nursery, 370 E. Veterans'
Highway, Jackson.
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