October 19, 2021–7:16 p.m.
NEWS RELEASE
On Saturday, November 6, 2021, Rome-Floyd Parks & Recreation will partner with International Paper and the Arbor Day Foundation to distribute 175 free trees at Gilbreath Recreation Center & Wolfe Park located at 110 Garden Avenue in Lindale, Georgia. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. Species include Red Maple, Service Berry, American Hornbeam, Flowering Dogwood, Magnolia, White Oak, Pin Oak, and Willow Oak, and residents are limited to one tree per household.
“Urban parks and private green spaces protect our health by providing opportunities for time in nature, for physical activities and to make social connections. The trees we plant today will help restore the tree canopy in Rome and Floyd County, help filter air and stormwater, buffer wind and noise, provide homes for birds and other wildlife, and provide shade in summer months” said Mary Hardin Thornton, Special Services Manager for Rome-Floyd Parks & Recreation.
“At International Paper, our entire business depends on the sustainability of forests, and sustainable forestry doesn’t just happen in working forests. We will continue to lead the world in responsible forest stewardship to ensure healthy and productive ecosystems for generations to come,” said Kevin Walls, Mill Manager at the International Paper Rome Containerboard Mill. “Community forestry helps us all be part of environmental sustainability, and the Rome Mill is proud to help give back through tree plantings and tree giveaways.”
“We are proud to encourage and support local efforts to plant trees. Cities and towns around the globe that line their streets and fill their parks with trees are building healthier, happier communities” said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation.
Trees offer vast benefits for the community at large. Thriving urban forests bolster human health, from encouraging physical activity to reducing respiratory illnesses stemming from air pollution. In the United States, park trees alone remove about 75,000 tons ($500 million) of air pollution each year. And urban
trees reduce runoff of sediment, pollutants, and organic matter into streams, improving our water quality. Trees have also been shown to reduce crime, lower stress levels, and develop community pride.