OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2005

Contact: Karen Hershey (609) 984-1795
Dana Loschiavo (609) 984-1423

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

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

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Related Link

• NJDEP Urban & Community Forestry
  http://www.njparksandforests.com/forest/community/