By Hayleigh Gowans
Staff Writer
On Arbor Day, April 29, the Village of Fayetteville was again honored as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and a celebration was held at Creative Environment Day School, where students learned more about Arbor Day and the importance of trees.
Students at the early childhood education center watched on as Fayetteville Mayor Mark Olson accepted recognition as a Tree City USA on behalf of the village from John Graham, a representative from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Pat Tobin, chairperson of the Fayetteville Tree Commission, presented the students with book related to trees to add to their library. The children made special hats and flags to wear to the celebration and received a white spruce seedling from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation School Seedling Program. Creative Environment Day School music teacher Mr. Sunflower sang songs with the students relating to trees.
To achieve a Tree City USA recognition, a community must meet four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
There are more than 3,400 communities that are currently recognized as Tree City USA communities. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters.
The Tree City USA flag can be seen at the flag pole located on the flagpole near the intersection of Brooklea Drive and E. Genesee Street.
