Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission proclaimed April 29, 2023, Arbor Day. The day will be celebrated with a much-needed cleanup and tree planting.
Arbor Day is observed nationally to celebrate the role of trees in our lives and promote tree planting and care. The City of Key West has long recognized the importance of its trees and its environment and has been a member of Tree City USA for 11 years.
This year, said the City's Urban Forester Karen DeMaria, the community is teaming up with Coastlove for cleanup and planting at the Key West Nature Preserve on Atlantic Blvd.
The not-for-profit organization Coastlove's mission is to end ocean plastic and coastal degradation through action and education while empowering coastal communities to create change.
Hurricane Ian, which struck the island in September last year, heavily damaged the nature area.
“This family-friendly public cleaning and planting event,” said DeMaria, will be held on April 29, 2023, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the western access area to the preserve to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day."
In the photo: Commissioners Lissette Carey and Jimmy Weekley, Tree Commission Chairman Misha McRAE, Tree Commission Board member Ed Cunningham, Coastlove’s Alicia Manfroy, Mayor Teri Johnston, Urban Forester Karen DeMaria, Vice Mayor Sam Kaufman, and Commissioners Clayton Lopez and Billy Wardlow. Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover is in attendance on the dais.