SHAWANO, WI- In a heartfelt celebration of Arbor Day on May 1, the Shawano Tree Advisory Committee paid tribute to local champions of greenery with awards and a tree planting ceremony, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship.
Marilyn and Ken Kroenke, esteemed members of the committee, were recognized with the individual Friend of Nature Award for their dedicated efforts in nurturing trees at their residence on Gannon Court. Meanwhile, the city’s Park and Recreation Department received the group award in acknowledgment of its significant contributions to the city’s green spaces. The planting of a tree in Franklin Park served as a poignant tribute to the late Bill Erdman, a revered figure who chaired the committee for several years.
Marking a milestone, Shawano commemorated 30 years as a proud member of Tree City USA, underscoring its commitment to urban forestry. The city’s impressive track record includes 12 consecutive years of receiving Tree City’s growth award and 21 years of recognition with the prestigious Tree Line USA Award.
Engaging the next generation of environmental stewards, local children from St. James Lutheran School, Sacred Heart Catholic School, and Olga Brener Intermediate School joined in the Arbor Day festivities, participating in tree planting activities and educational sessions to identify various tree species in the park.
Ross Langhurst, chairman of the committee, emphasized the mission to preserve older trees while actively planting new ones, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the committee and the city’s parks department in transforming urban landscapes.
Matt Hendricks, director of Park and Recreation, underscored the importance of biodiversity in city parks, noting the deliberate inclusion of a diverse range of tree species in Franklin Park. With 32 different tree species thriving in the park, Shawano ensures resilience against potential threats such as oak tree wilt or invasive species like the emerald ash borer.
Beyond Franklin Park, Shawano remains committed to tree planting initiatives, with hundreds of trees added to the community over the past five years, including a recent surge of over 50 plantings in the last few weeks alone.
Comments