In honor of Arbor Day, Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer joined with Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon and Councilman Tom Donnelly for an honorary tree planting at the Wyandanch Family Life Center. The tree that was planted was a White Pine and was donated by Lisa Termini, who had originally planted the tree three years ago at her grandmother’s house in memory of her daughter who had passed away. Lisa, who was a founder of the children’s reading group “Zoe’s Circle,” eventually moved away from the Town but wanted the tree to remain in the area and around children. Town Horticulturalist Jennifer Ulsheimer adopted the tree and cared for it on behalf of Lisa for over a year until it was ready to be planted at the Wyandanch Family Life Center.
The Town of Babylon has recently been named as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation, citing the Town’s commitment to planting and caring for trees throughout the Town. There are 3,400 other towns and cities across the country that have been named as a Tree City USA for implementing effective forest management policies. In order to become a Tree City USA, a town or city must meet the following requirements: operating a tree department or committee, issuing an ordinance for tree-care, maintaining an annual forestry budget of $2 per capital and an observance of Arbor Day. Earlier this year, the Babylon Town Board declared April 25th, 2014 Arbor Day in the Town of Babylon.
Pictured with representatives of the Wyandanch Family Life Center and local school children are Supervisor Schaffer (third from back left); Town Horticulturalist Jennifer Ulsheimer (fourth from back left); Lisa Termini (fifth from back left); Councilwoman Gordon (sixth from back left); Wyandanch Community Resource Director Kimberly Jean-Pierre (seventh from back left); Reverend Connie England (third from back right); and Councilman Tom Donnelly (second from back right).