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Volunteers in Covington, Kentucky, are called to participate in Arbor Day celebrations throughout April. The festivities begin with two main events at Goebel Park. On Friday, April 4, the Kentucky Division of Forestry, in collaboration with the city, will hold a Kentucky Arbor Day Ceremony. This event will involve planting a memorial tree and distributing 200 Bald Cypress seedlings.
Brandon Howard, Director and State Forester with the Kentucky Division of Forestry, emphasized the significance of the event: "Kentucky Arbor Day is an annual celebration of the importance of trees in our communities and in the commonwealth, and helps to highlight the many benefits we receive from trees and forests. Planting a ceremonial tree on Kentucky Arbor Day is an act of reaffirming our dedication to fostering shared stewardship of our community trees and forests for generations to come."
On the following Saturday, April 5, the Covington Urban Forestry Board will host a Spring Tree Planting event from 9 a.m. to noon at Goebel Park. Volunteers are expected to help plant 25 to 30 trees in the park.
Patrick Moore, Covington Urban Forester, noted the importance of these events in relation to the city’s status as a "Tree City." He stated, "Planting a memorial tree in Goebel Park with Kentucky Division of Forestry on State Arbor Day is a moment to celebrate Covington's 21 years of recognition as a Tree City, and now 3 years as a Tree City of the World. It's a celebration of the combined effort put forth over the last 20-plus years by many dedicated community volunteers, forestry board members, and city foresters to create a lasting urban forestry program in the City of Covington that improves the health of residents and aesthetics of city streets."
Moore also highlighted the importance of volunteering: "Volunteering to plant a tree is rewarding on many levels, but an important aspect that people forget is that the work they are doing is improving the life of people around them in the community right now as well as into the future."
Looking forward, the Urban Forestry Board plans to distribute hundreds of tree seedlings throughout April. "In the next couple of weeks, the board will give 300 tree seedlings to third graders in Covington elementary schools," Moore added. The month will conclude with the distribution of 400 seedlings at the Historic Linden Grove Cemetery & Arboretum’s Linden Day Arbor Day Celebration on April 26.
