On May 2, 2022 the Town of Bombay (Franklin County; pop. ~ 1357) held its first-ever Arbor Day planting and celebration with 35 folks in attendance. The community planted red maples (Acer rubrum) and Japanese tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’) and gave away tree seedlings, purchased from the Arbor Day Foundation, to community members. The event was partially funded by a Council Quick Start Grant. Photos by Bombay Councilperson and Third Grade Teacher Erin Gray

Bombay parents and staff got in on the action, too.

On April 29, 2022, Town of Oyster Bay (Nassau County; pop. ~6160) staff gathered with representatives from environmental organizations and residents to plant five ‘Autumn Gold’ Ginkgo biloba trees, funded largely by a Council Quick Start Grant.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joe Saladino (right) alongside Friends of the Bay Coordinator Heather Johnson (not pictured) and Cornell Cooperative Arborist Christina McLaughlin (left) (not to be confused with DEC UCF Program’s Christina McLaughlin) sited all five ginkgo trees while volunteers helped infill with soil and stake the trees. Shout out to Oyster Bay Town Arborist and NYSUFC Member Steve Matuza as well!

The Village of Penn Yan (Yates County; pop. ~5072) held its First Arbor Day Celebration on April 29, 2022 at  Indian Pines Park. The event consisted of a tree planting demonstration and handing out an educational brochure. The Village planted a total of 20 trees, including maples and oaks in spaces that permitted large trees, and hawthorns and Japanese tree lilacs in tree lawns with overhead wires.

Penn Yan has now fulfilled the four requirements for Tree City USA status (Arbor Day Celebration; Tree Board created; Tree Ordinance adopted; and $2 per capita budged for community forestry activities) and is looking forward to applying at the next TCUSA application round to the Arbor Day Foundation. Go Penn Yan!

The Village of South Glens Falls (Saratoga County; pop. ~3612) also received a Quick Start Grant from the Council. On April 27, 2022, they planted an ‘Autumn Blaze’ red maple and a ‘Greenspire’ linden with grant funds. The Village’s Arbor Day Celebration involved elementary and middle school students such as those depicted here with the red maple.

New York State Senator Daphne Jordan (third from right) attended the South Glens Falls Arbor Day Celebration and tree planting. Mayor Nicholas Bodkin and Harrison Avenue Elementary and Oliver Winch Middle School teachers and students all gave speeches. 🌳