In February, we are all about trees at Keep Liberty Beautiful because Georgia’s State Arbor Day is always the third Friday of the month
But we also are all about recycling, too, so let’s celebrate both.  Here are some exciting opportunities available this next week for tree lovers and avid recyclers.
We want our community to celebrate Georgia Arbor Day. Keep Liberty Beautiful, with the help of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Forestry Commission, Brewer’s Tree Farm and Farmers Natural Foods, once again is providing free 4- to 6-foot trees —  including dogwoods, crepe myrtles and a variety of potential shade trees —  for planting. We encourage civic or youth groups, schools, churches, businesses or municipalities to reserve a tree or two to plant while supplies last.  Contact Keep Liberty Beautiful by Feb. 13 to reserve a tree.  We have a substantial number of the trees already reserved, so supplies are limited. The trees will be available for pick up Feb. 13-17.  Please take a picture of your group or employees planting the trees and email it to us by Feb. 25.
On Friday, Feb. 17 — our official state Arbor Day  —  we will have a limited number of trees to give away at Farmers Natural Foods, 754 E G Miles Parkway. We will have about 50 trees there  — a mix of dogwoods, oaks, green ash, cedar, catalpa and crape myrtles —  but we expect them to go rapidly. Farmers will be open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
From 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, our quarterly Recycle It! Fair will be held at 1113 E. Oglethorpe Highway, and we will also have approximately 100 trees ­—  dogwoods, oaks, green ash, catalpa and crape myrtles — to give away. Supplies are limited, and about half the trees are reserved at this point, so reserve a tree now by calling Keep Liberty Beautiful at 880-4888 or emailing klcb@coastalnow.net.
All trees come with a guide that will have information about the species and planting and care directions.  We want you to be successful in tree growing because by planting now, we can have a large and lush tree canopy for the future.
But do not stop there. Recycling also is important all the time in our community. We still have drop-off collection sites for old telephone books at most city halls and the Liberty County Annex Building, as well as drop-offs at all recycling and solid waste convenience centers throughout the county. Don’t let those big old books of paper end up in the trash when you are through with them.
At the fair, which is sponsored by Keep Liberty Beautiful, Goodwill Industries and Coastal Auto and Recycling, we will collect electronics and household hazardous waste items. Here is a reminder of the items we can accept:
• E waste — electronics including computers, printers, monitors and any computer accessories; stereo equipment and televisions; cell phones and accessories. All hard drives will be wiped clean for your security by our local Goodwill Industries.
• Household paint as long as the cans are sealed well and are not rusted.  If your cans are not in good condition, add cat litter or sand to the paint, let it dry up and then dispose of the items in your regular garbage.
• CFLs and fluorescent light bulbs and fixtures. Check out the website on CFL’s for Energy Star (www.energystar.gov) for more information.
• Used motor oil, antifreeze and car batteries.  Never pour motor oil or antifreeze down the drain, into a storm drain or just dump them. They cause severe water pollution problems. When storing motor oil and other auto fluids for recycling, it is essential to put them in clean, dry containers so that the fluid is not contaminated.
• Household batteries
• Printer ink and toner cartridges
• Telephone books and large sale catalogs
• Hardback books, paperbacks and textbooks
• Household goods and clothes (in clean, decent condition)
So celebrate trees and recycling this week.  Our planet will thank you.