CARRBORO, NC – Honoring the contribution trees make to our health and well-being and their essential role in the ecology of the planet, Mayor Barbara Foushee proclaims Friday, April 25 to be Arbor Day in Carrboro.
Thanks to Carrboro Horticulturalist Weldon Jenkins, a Black Gum tree has been planted at Wilson Park at 110 Williams St. for this special day.
Carrboro has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for 40 years. In an era where cities and towns face increasing challenges related to air quality, public health and climate change, nurturing our trees has never been more important.
Trees are critical infrastructure. They remove and store greenhouse gases, preventing them from contributing to climate change. They provide shade, which helps lower temperatures and reduces the urban heat island effect. They absorb rainwater, reducing stormwater runoff and the risk of flooding, improve air quality, and provide habitat for wildlife. And we all know that trees provide many physical and mental health benefits for humans.
The importance of trees is highlighted in the Town’s Community Climate Action Plan and Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan. These plans include strategies to identify urban heat islands to determine where tree planting programs can be strategically located to reduce extreme temperatures and commit the Town to take steps to enhance Carrboro’s tree canopy
Did you know? The Willow at Town Commons, (301 W. Main St) removes about 280 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent and helped avoid almost 100 gallons of runoff annually, according to the US Forest Service’s MyTree app.
- Photo: Gretchen Gochenauer, who has been a member of the Arbor Day Foundation since 1992, received the proclamation from Mayor Barbara Foushee.
- Photo: Carrboro Horticulturalist Weldon Jenkins planted a Black Gum tree at Wilson Park at 110 Williams St. for this special day.
- Read the complete proclamation at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions