Posted 11:22 pm Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Send to Kindle
AT&T infuses Tree Tyler with $2,000 gift
|
The city of Tyler still could use a little help reaching its goal of planting 5,000 trees in five years from residents willing to give. But a $2,000 gift last week from AT&T helped them get about 30 trees closer to achieving it.
"Because we are so close to meeting our goal of 5,000 trees, we are hosting a special community tree planting event on Jan. 19," Mayor Barbara Bass said. The hope is that between now and then the city can raise enough money to buy enough trees to reach that goal, she said.
A representative from AT&T said the company was pleased to help support the effort and grow Tyler's urban forest.
"It is not only good for the environment, but it also helps keep the community beautiful," AT&T representative Candice Gast said in a statement.
But the city still can use a boost to help with the cost, and any help that residents can give is much appreciated.
"The event is getting close, and we need more sponsorships to reach our goal. Any donation would help, however, as little as $100 will allow us to plant a new tree in our community," Parks Director Stephanie Rollings said.
A city of Tyler park, an elementary school and some road corridors will be the next areas of town to be graced with some beautiful trees as a part of the latest phase in the Mayor's Tree Tyler Initiative.
Since the launch of the Mayor's Tree Tyler Initiative in 2010, more than 4,500 trees have been planted and registered on the Tree Tyler website. A Tyler civic group, LT 24, organized the initial Tree Tyler Day in conjunction with the city in 2010.
Early last year, the city did not focus as much on planting new trees, but instead, focused on caring for the 1,600 that had gone into the ground in the spring of 2010 because of drought conditions. But this year, the planting will resume.
"Tyler is blessed with beautiful trees and unparalleled natural beauty. Community events like Tree Tyler Day help us grow and protect our urban forest for generations to come," Mayor Bass said.
The Tree Tyler Web page, www.treetyler.com, includes a registration page where residents can report a tree planting, even on their own property. These private plantings will be included in the count toward the 5,000 tree goal. A flier detailing Tree Tyler Day sponsorship activities is available online at www.treetyler.com, or on the city of Tyler Web page at www.cityoftyler.org.
