Conyers to celebrate Georgia’s Arbor Day, 150th anniversary of Arbor Day

CONYERS, GA—The city of Conyers and community partners will gather on Friday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m., to plant a tree at the Rockdale County Master Gardeners Association Memorial Arboretum, located at the Georgia International Horse Park. The tree planting is being held in honor of the state’s annual Arbor Day celebration and the 150^th anniversary of Arbor Day in the year 2022.

Conyers has been recognized for 30 consecutive years for being named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Residents are being encouraged to help plant and protect native trees for future generations and learn more about the Memorial Arboretum.

The city is celebrating the event with the University of Georgia Extension Service Rockdale County Office, Georgia Forestry Commission and the Big Haynes Nature Creek.

City Council Member Charlie Bryant and employees from the city’s Code Enforcement and Public Works divisions and Georgia International Horse Park officials will be present at the ceremonial tree planting. Council Member Bryant will read a proclamation officially proclaiming Feb.18 as Arbor Day in the city of Conyers.

City residents are encouraged to plant trees on their own properties throughout the month of February in celebration of Arbor Day. February is the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs in Georgia because most newly planted trees will flourish if established in the winter months.

The city of Conyers prides itself on trees. Based on achievements in 2021, the city received a Growth Award in addition to being named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Growth Award recognizes major milestones and annual activities in five categories that combine to build sustainable community forestry programs on the long term.

“Our staff has coordinated Arbor Day festivities for many years and Code Enforcement is pleased to work to maintain Tree City USA standards each year,” said Code Enforcement Supervisor Melissa Staton. “Code enforcement’s mission is to educate and enforce all of the city’s ordinances, which includes a tree ordinance developed to protect our trees and keep the city green and sustainable for future generations. The arboretum is a serene and picturesque location to plant an additional native tree to add to the beauty of the area that the Rockdale County Master Gardeners work so hard to maintain.”

For more information about the city’s Arbor Day plans, contact Jennifer Edwards at 770-929-4299 or jennifer.edwards@conyersga.gov.