Carrboro children get green

School and town officials, with some help from Smokey the Bear, planted the seed of environmental concern in the hearts of students Friday, hoping that the town’s tradition of tree preservation will continue to blossom in the future.

“We hold the world in our hands, we hold our future,” children from Carrboro Elementary School sang in celebration of Arbor Day.

During the planting ceremony, Carrboro marked its 21st recognition as a Tree City USA — an honor presented to the town for its commitment to preserving and continuing the growth of its tree populations.

Orange County Forest Ranger Jacob Pressley presented the award to Mayor Pro Tem Diana McDuffee.

“It’s especially important for young kids to get exposed, to understand the importance of trees and forestry,” he said.

Pressley said Carrboro is one of 62 cities in the state — including Chapel Hill — and one of 3,000 nationwide to be a Tree City USA.

In order to become a Tree City, Pressley said Carrboro had to establish a community tree ordinance and a town board that works to preserve the area’s greenery.

“We encourage developers to conserve trees,” McDuffee said.

Carrboro also must celebrate Arbor Day each year to be eligible for the award.

And while the guidelines only require a town to spend $2 per town resident on trees, Carrboro spends $2.80.

“What strikes me about this area is that you don’t see those whole subdivisions just placed down in the sun without trees,” McDuffee said.

“(Arbor Day) helps the community, the air and the trees, which we really need,” said former Texas resident Bobby Montez who doubled as Smokey the Bear for the event.

The environmentally conscious bear was cheered by students when he arrived, and with shovel in paw, he helped students plant a Dogwood sapling on the school grounds.

“I think planting a tree is a lot of fun,” student Ashlan Jones said after seeing the tree into the earth.

Smokey also congratulated the three student winners of the Arbor Day poster contest. Several students read the Arbor Day proclamation, which states that trees are valuable natural resources and contribute to high property values, as well as spiritual renewal.

“I really enjoyed Arbor Day because everywhere I’ve lived so far there’s been trees,” student Jordan Saffer said. “And I just love the way they take CO2 out of the air.”

The Tree City USA award is provided by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.