City Gets Trees Through Fundraising Effort

Mayor Dan Drew and Jane Harris, chair of the Middletown Urban Forestry Commission, celebrate the receipt of over 200 hardwood trees for planting in the City. The gift of young trees was the result of a fund-raising campaign called “Root for your Radio” jointly sponsored by New England Public Radio and the Connecticut River Watershed Council.

The selected trees are native to the region and will be planted at the Arboretum and at the municipal tree nursery established by the UFC at Higby Reservoir. Mayor Drew stated, “Our collection of specimen trees at the Arboretum will be enhanced and maintained so that residents can continue to use this magnificent open space and ensure that the legacy of Middletown as the Forest City will continue far into the future.”

Jane Harris commented, “Receiving so many trees is a god send. Middletown spends money removing hazardous trees but funding for planting trees is rarely available, especially in this economy. It is my understanding that 2,645 trees will be planted throughout the watershed area because of this program -- that is impressive.”