Toll Gate Grammar School celebrated Arbor Day in Pennington on a brisk but sunny Friday, April 26. In the Toll Gate tradition, first graders and their teachers helped plant and water a tree in Pennington Borough. This year, the students of Ms. Talarick, Ms. Lee, Ms. Villareal and Ms. Wilson planted a European hornbeam on East Curlis Avenue. They were assisted by Morris Fabian and the Pennington Department of Public Works, along with Shade Tree Committee members.
During the festivities, the students shared their creativity by reciting poems they had written, and Mayor James Davy read the Arbor Day proclamation. Each student also received a tree cookie and coloring book.
“This celebration not only teaches our elementary school students how to plant and care for trees, it also grants Pennington Borough its Tree City USA designation for the 36th year. Started in 1976 by the Arbor Day Foundation, this program helps communities maintain and grow their tree cover, and show their commitment to the mission of environmental change.” – Pennington Shade Tree Committee
Why is it important to have trees? The Shade Tree Committee provided a few of the advantages of having a flourishing urban forest:
- Trees help absorb the sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40%
- Neighborhoods with trees are seven to nine degrees cooler than those without
- Trees reduce energy costs up to 25% by shading buildings and protecting them from winter winds
- Homes with trees have higher property values
- Green space plays a major role in improving mental and physical health
- Planting and maintaining trees absorbs carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change
To find out more about the Pennington Shade Tree Committee, click this link: https://www.penningtonboro.org/shade-tree-committee
