Put Down Roots in Your Community

Put Down Roots in Your Community

Celebrate Arbor Day by Planting Trees at Lake Elberta Park

The City of Tallahassee and Leon County Government invite residents to celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees at Lake Elberta Park, 594 Lake Bradford Road, on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 9 a.m. This fun and educational volunteer opportunity will help enhance the park’s natural habitat and provide residents with information about native tree species and planting techniques.

Plantings will be done throughout the park and include a diverse mix of over 150 trees and shrubs from nut baring trees like Chestnut and Pecan to aquatic species such as Pond Cypress and Saltbush, which is a favorite nectar source of migrating monarch butterflies. Volunteers will also help establish a canopy of Crepe Myrtle to shade the new St. Marks Trail connector that runs from Lake Bradford Road to the northeast corner of Lake Elberta.

To further enhance this year’s celebration, the City has also partnered with the Apalachee Chapter of the Audubon Society to improve bird habitat at Lake Elberta by removing invasive species and installing wildflower areas.

While volunteers give back to the community, the City and County want to ensure volunteers gain something, too. Staff foresters and arborists will be available to explain the characteristics of each species being planted and to assist with proper planting technique. Attendees can use this new knowledge of native trees and shrubs, including the site characteristics that these plants prefer, to help choose the right tree for the right location in their own yards, serving to strengthen the overall quality of the urban canopy.

Volunteers are asked to dress for the weather and bring gloves, shovels, drinking water and friends. The event will take place rain or shine.

Leon County and the City of Tallahassee have a long history of celebrating Arbor Day. Last year, hundreds of trees and shrubs were planted by friends and families at Apalachee Regional Park.

For more information, contact the City’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs department at 891-3866.

###