Local Area to Celebrate Tree City USA Status on Arbor Day

MANATEE COUNTY – Citizens are invited to tree plantings planned for National Arbor Day on Friday, April 25.

The plantings described below will recognize the value of trees to the 165 communities from Florida and thousands nationwide that are a Tree City/County USA. Locally, Tree City USAs include Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Palmetto, and Manatee County as a Tree County USA. To become a Tree City/County USA, governments meet the following four requirements set by the National Arbor Day Foundation: a community must have a tree care ordinance, a legal tree governing body, a comprehensive urban forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.

April 22 on Earth Day – end of April

During this time period, trees will be installed to return canopy on Cortez Road at various properties between 1st Street and 75th Street West as part of the Corridor Tree Canopy Program. These trees will be easily identifiable with staking. Through coordination with Keep Manatee Beautiful and the Manatee County UF/IFAS Extension Service, the City of Bradenton’s Tree and Land Preservation Board is collaborating with the Manatee County's Environmental Lands Management/Acquisition and Tree Board to return tree canopy to Cortez Road in a seamless fashion within the city limits and in unincorporated Manatee County jurisdictions.


Friday, April 25 on National Arbor Day

9:30 a.m.  The City of Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee will be planting a pond cypress at Holmes Beach City Hall on Marina Drive and 59th Street donated by the Modern Woodmen of America.

10:00 a.m.  The City of Anna Maria and Manatee County Government will continue enhancing Bayfront Park on Bay Boulevard south of the public restrooms by planting 2 live oak trees donated by Ellenton Nursery Growers.

11:00 a.m.   The City of Bradenton Beach Scenic WAVES will be celebrating on Bridge Street by adding 5 sabal palms and native groundcover to the west roundabout at the intersection of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive donated by the Bridge Street Merchants Association and Keep Manatee Beautiful.

12:00 p.m. The City of Bradenton will enhance Virginia Drive near the intersection of the 9th Avenue West bridge over Wares Creek by planting 10 Royal palms.

1:00 p.m.  The City of Palmetto will be adding tree canopy with the planting of a live oak at Hidden Lake Park at 1720 12th St W.

Officials and groups that will be part of these Arbor Day celebrations include: city and county commission/council members and staff, Anna Maria Environmental Enhancement & Education Committee members, Bradenton Tree and Land Preservation Board members, Bradenton Beach Scenic WAVES members, Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Board members, Palmetto Planning & Zoning/Tree Board members, Manatee County Environmental Land Management and Acquisition Advisory Committee  members, Florida Forest Service representatives, Manatee County Urban Forestry Manager, and Keep Manatee Beautiful members.