Manitowoc celebrates 42 years of being a Tree City USA member.
The city got the award during its annual Arbor Day celebration at Madison Elementary School in Manitowoc, which is a requirement.
A classroom of 4th graders learned about the history of Arbor Day, starting in the state of Nebraska, before they heard a reading of the Dr. Seuss book The Lorax.
Mayor Justin Nickels gave a signed copy of the city’s proclamation for Arbor Day before asking the students questions about trees and what they do for us.
He then explained that the city must do a lot of work and spend a lot of money on trees.
“Because we have to make sure that we spend at least $2 for everyone one of you (students) on trees, just on trees,” he explained. “So, we have to spend at least $70,000 on trees.”
The 4th-graders then went to the back of the school to place mulch on a newly planted tree on Maritime Drive.
This year was also the first year for the city’s new Forester, Abraham Butler, who led the presentation in the school’s library.
He said he loved presenting for the kids.
“It’s great to see a smile on their face and it’s awesome to be able to get some outreach and show the kids what we do,” he said gleefully.
He’s also very excited for the department to be honored again as a Tree City USA member.
Butler notes, “And that proves are hard work is paying off and we’re doing a great job beautifying the city.”
Butlers tells Seehafernews.com that his team will be working on getting rid of more Emerald Ash Trees due to the infection of the Emerald Ash Borer and will have other kinds of trees ready to plant, like Oaks and Kentucky Coffee trees.
Like last year, each student got a tree to take home to plant in a pot before it could get big enough to be put into the ground.
