By Anne W. Semmes
For the 12th year James McArdle opened his bursting-with-blossoms Greenhouse to the Greenwich Tree Conservancy (GTC) Tree Party last Friday evening. There were notable tree supporters amongst the 230 in attendance, including First Selectman Fred Camillo, Selectpersons Janet Stone McGuigan and Lauren Rabin, and Town Tree Warden Dr. Greg Kramer. Also present were former GTC executive director JoAnn Messina and former Town Conservation Director Denise Savageau, now a state environmental planner.
“What a spectacular day to celebrate trees,” introduced GTC President Urling Searle, and “Happy Arbor Day everyone. Cheers to our trees. There is a symphony of green all around as our trees spread out their leaves to clean our air and drink up our stormwater. Our native mature trees offer the songbirds that are busily singing all around us a rich variety of food and the shelter they need to raise their young.”
Searle thanked all for coming to the Tree Party, and “for supporting the Conservancy’s efforts to plant, preserve and protect our town’s trees. In partnership with the town, we’ll soon reach 7,000 planted trees and have labeled over 2000 trees in our town-wide Arboretum.”
Introducing GTC’s new Executive Director Kate Dzikiewicz brought applause as well as the giving of thanks to Tree Party Co-Chairs Ayesha Kahn & Michele Siegelman “for all their hard work.” They were then presented with certificates for trees to be planted in their honor.
First Selectman Camillo stepped up to offer his praise to the Conservancy for its tree greening efforts. And thank you’s followed for James McArdle for having once again hosted the Tree Party, with the generosity of Jeb at Val’s Wines & Liquors providing the liquor and wine for each of the 12 years.
Also welcomed was a new GTC corporate sponsor – Arhaus Furniture, with its newly opened store in town. With the help of generous patrons, the Conservancy has been able to expand its education and outreach programs and continue its advocacy work to help protect the Town’s parks and trees.
