DEP Recognizes
Students and Local Tree Care Programs at State Arbor Day Celebration
(05/48) TRENTON-- The New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Community Forestry Program, the New Jersey Community
Forestry Council and the New Jersey Tree Foundation today celebrated
Arbor Day by planting more than 200 trees at Delaware Heights
Park in Phillipsburg, Warren County.
"The planting, care, and management of our community tree
resources helps to ensure more livable communities," said
Bradley M. Campbell, DEP Commissioner. "Arbor Day gives us
the opportunity to thank the people taking care of our trees and
to reflect on the many benefits of trees - beautifying our homes,
improving local air quality, buffering noise and reducing summer
air temperatures."
More than 200 volunteers participated in the festivities, planting
trees in the park. DEP also presented Tree City USA awards and
Joyce Kilmer Award, and recognized this year's student winners
of a state note card art contest.
DEP presented its prestigious Joyce Kilmer Award to Elwood Bray,
a longtime volunteer advocate for trees in Phillipsburg and Warren
County. Additionally, Deputy Director George Paffendorf of the
New Jersey Youth Corps and Director Michael Muckle of the Phillipsburg
Youth Corps were recognized for their outstanding contributions
to green industry workforce development.
Also joining in today's Arbor Day ceremony were communities representing
the Tree City USA program, which recognizes cities, counties,
and military bases that have developed a comprehensive tree management
program. New Jersey leads the northeast in the number of communities
that have earned Tree City USA status with more than 135 communities,
representing over 2.5 million residents.
Additionally, three electricity companies received national recognition
for their care of trees around power distribution lines: Conectiv
Power Delivery (6th year), First Energy Corporation (7th year),
and Orange & Rockland Utilities New Jersey Division (4th year).
Today's celebration was made possible through the assistance
and cooperation of many partners, supporters and volunteers who
promote the efforts of the New Jersey Forest Service Community
Forestry Program. This program facilitates the development of
state approved Community Forestry Management Plans in municipalities,
counties, and military bases across the Garden State.
TREE CITY USA ANNIVERSARY AWARDS FOR ARBOR DAY 2005
20th Year |
Chester, Morris County
Dover, Ocean County
Plainsboro Township, Middlesex County
|
1st Year |
Berkeley Heights Township, Union County
Dunellen Borough, Middlesex County
Hoboken City, Hudson County
Hopewell Borough, Mercer County
Roselle Park Borough, Union County
Springfield Township, Burlington County
Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County
West Long Branch Borough, Monmouth County |
Hundreds of pieces of original artwork were entered into this
year's statewide student Arbor Day note card art contest. Following
are this year's winners.
NJ STATEWIDE STUDENT ARBOR DAY NOTECARD ART CONTEST 1ST
PLACE WINNERS
Kindergarten ~ |
Brianna Amos, Mrs. Joffrion, George Washington Carver
Elementary, Newark
|
Grade 1 ~ |
Sumin Ko, Ms. Caltabiano, T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary
School, Old Tappan
|
Grade 2 ~ |
Gianna De Palma, Mrs. Santagiano, Kiel School, Kinnelon
|
Grade 3 ~ |
Ashley Koo, Ms. Caltabiano, T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary
School, Old Tappan
|
Grade 4 ~ |
Taylor Kauterman, Ms. Stoltz, Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
Berlin
|
Grade 5 ~ |
Jessica Sayre, Ms. Mazzola, Hillview Elementary School,
Pompton Plains
|
Grade 6 ~ |
David Handsman, Ms. Oliver, Roosevelt Middle School, West
Orange
|
Grade 7 ~ |
Chris Redziniok, Mr. Goulburn, Cinnaminson Middle School
|
Grade 8 ~ |
Alex Nam, Ms. Caltabiano, Holdrum Middle School, River Vale
|
Grade 9 ~ |
Jordan Tates, Mrs. O'Connor, Red Bank Regional HS, Little
Silver
|
Grade 10 ~ |
Lindsey Dolan, Mrs. O'Connor, Red Bank Regional HS, Little
Silver
|
Grade 11 ~ |
Katherine Reilly, Ms. Miller, Oakcrest High School, Mays
Landing
|
Grade 12 ~ |
Wilmer Costa, Mrs. Shields, Harrison High School |
|