This month is all about trees. Well, that is not exactly true. We are also all about recycling electronics and household goods and shredding records, too.
However, first, let’s talk trees. In February, Georgia celebrates Arbor Day. If you appreciate trees, then please join us in this celebration by planting trees and increasing our tree canopy.
To make that easier, we have a limited number of trees to giveaway on Feb. 17-18. We are also planting fruit trees in public spaces in the next several weeks in a statewide effort to increase public access to fresh fruit.
Arbor Day started in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, by J. Sterling Morton, who served as President Grover Cleveland’s Secretary of Agriculture. Morton didn’t think there were enough trees in Nebraska. On that first Arbor Day, there were approximately 1 million trees planted. On April 22, 1885, Arbor Day became a legal holiday in Nebraska.
Twenty years later, every state in America celebrated Arbor Day, except for Delaware, which eventually joined the celebrations. The holiday encourages groups and individuals to plant and care for trees. In 1970, President Richard Nixon declared the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Ultimately, each state named its own Arbor Day, which vary depending on the climate.
The third Friday in February is a great time to plant trees in our climate.
Trees and a healthy tree canopy improve our quality of life. Our goal is to encourage residents to help us grow our tree canopy.
We will have several types of trees; dogwoods, crape myrtles and oaks; at the Feb. 17-18 give-away. Supples are limited. We encourage civic and youth groups, schools, churches, businesses and municipalities, as well as individuals to plant if you are interested. If you would like to reserve a tree this week, call Keep Liberty Beautiful at 912-880-4888 or email klcb@coastalnow.net.
Tree pick-up will be from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 17 at Farmers Natural Foods on Highway 196, and from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 18 at any of three Recycle It! Fair sites:
• Liberty County Health Department, 1113 E. Oglethorpe Highway
• Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 E. Oglethorpe in Midway
• Walthourville City Hall, 222 Busbee Drive, where there will also be a Shred it! Event.
These are the items accepted at the fairs:
• electronics
• household paint as long as the cans are sealed well, not rusted and, at least, half full.
• CFL’s and fluorescent light bulbs
• used motor oil and antifreeze
• car batteries.
• household batteries
• printer cartridges
• telephone books, large sale catalogs and books
• household goods and clothes and shoes
• old prescription and over the counter medications
Lots to do this month. For more information on recycling or the trees, call us at 912-880-4888, email klcb@coastalnow.net or check out our website at www.keeplibertybeautiful.org.