On Friday April 26th, the Town celebrated Arbor Day, and Barnstable’s designation as a Tree City, with ceremonies at Barnstable High School and Barnstable Intermediate School. A total of 24 trees were planted on the school campuses. The Arbor Day celebration was a collaborative effort between school leadership, Planning & Development staff, the Town’s Tree Warden, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and AmeriCorps Cape Cod. Town Council President Felicia Penn read in the Town’s Arbor Day Proclamation promoting the benefits of planting trees and urging citizens to plant and care for trees to promote the well-being of this and future generations.
Twelve trees were planted within the median along West Main Street in front of the High School including Sweet Gum, Red Oak and White Oak trees. Additionally, 12 trees were planted by the pond behind the Intermediate School, including Red Maple and Tupelo trees.
The Arbor Day ceremonies served as an opportunity to kick-off the Town’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP). The Town was awarded a grant to plant 2,400 trees in the community’s Environmental Justice areas. All properties within the Planting Zone, including private property owners, are eligible to sign up for free trees.
To learn more about this opportunity and to confirm if your property is within the Planting Zone, please visit GreeningHyannis.com. For specific questions please contact the project email: GreeningHyannis@town.barnstable.ma.us.
Special thank you to AmeriCorps Cape Cod staff: Phoebe Plank, Program Manager, Caroline Lawrence, Supervisor, Leonel Lainez, Supervisor, Hannah VanDivier, Individual Placement, and members Grace Vachon, Bridget Gil, Luke Hudson, Leeza Barstein, Sam O’Neill, and Sarah Lawson who made the celebration a success!
