Arbor Day is a time to celebrate the remarkable, renewable resource of trees, a source for clean air and water, habitat for wildlife, shade to lower energy costs, and storm water control.
The Friends of Legion State Park, Town and Country Garden Club, and the Winston Louisville Career Center Forestry class recently celebrated Arbor Day in February with an afternoon ceremony and tree planting beside the Legion State Park Lodge in Legion State Park.
“These trees will add to that legacy, providing environmental and aesthetic benefits to Legion and the Lodge,” said Giles Ward a member of the Friends of Legion State Park and speaker at the event.
The WLCTC Forestry students under the direction of Stevie Herrington planted the trees beside the Lodge.
Ward complimented the 8 students and the program in the school district. Ward also recognized the Park Manager Tim Flake for all his efforts and support.
Paul Simmons, 91, and member of Friends of Legion State Park noted, “I love this place and we need all the volunteers to help keep it up.”
Nationally, Arbor Day is April 26, but the South’s climate dictates an earlier celebration date based on the best time to plant trees.
Begun in the park several years ago, this annual celebration recognizes the numerous benefits trees provide the state, community and to Legion State Park. By planting trees, students and volunteers are participating and recognizing a national holiday observed in many countries around the world during planting seasons.
Ward added, “Arbor Day is a day advocating the importance of planting trees, and it is a day that celebrates their contribution to a healthy environment,”
Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska in 1872 and it quickly grew to be an internationally-recognized day. Tree planting events and seed exchanges are common for celebrating Arbor Day, which is aimed toward educating the general public on the influence trees have on the environment, both on local and worldwide scales.
Although the holiday has been celebrated for well over 100 years, passionate groups and individuals still rally together to spread awareness of the benefit of local and native trees.
Legion State Park is public recreation area located on the north edge of the city of Louisville, Mississippi, and adjacent to Tombigbee National Forest. As Legion State Park Historic District, the state park entered the National Register of Historic Places in 1998
Legion State Park is located at 635 Legion State Park Dr, Louisville, MS 39339
