City Commission Proclaims February 15 as Arbor Day

Toccoa City Commissioners have approved a proclamation designating Friday, February 15 as Arbor Day in Toccoa.

Hosted by Toccoa Main Street, Events Coordinator Sharon Crosby said a tree planting ceremony is scheduled downtown Friday morning.

“Every year we try to do something special; especially with children so they can be part of the Urban Forest initiative,” Crosby said. “This year, we’re going to be taking the third graders and have them watch us plant a Norway Spruce; a beautiful large tree. It will be at 9:30a Friday morning. The Forestry Commission will also be there. We will have one of our foresters talk about planting trees and about the Norway Spruce as well.”

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, in order to become a Tree City USA, a municipality must adhere to certain guidelines.

Those include, creating a Tree Board Department, pass a Tree Care ordinance, develop a Community Forestry Program with an annual budget of at Least $2 per capita, and have an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Again, this week’s Arbor Day ceremony takes place Friday at 9a at the newly constructed train viewing platform on ForeAcre St.

The public is invited to attend.