- October 10, 2024
Loading
Palm Coast has received a Tree City USA designation for the 19th consecutive year. It is also designated a Monarch City USA. On Saturday, May 4, the city celebrated both designations with tree giveaways and a monarch butterfly release at Palm Coast’s 19th annual Arbor Day celebration at Central Park in Town Center.
People who brought non-perishable human or pet food received a ticket for a free tree. Four varieties of trees and shrubs — redbuds, red maples, pignut hickories and buttonbush — were available. Master certified arborists and master gardeners with the UF/IFAS Flagler County Extension offered guidance on proper pruning, placement, planting and root-shaving techniques at the tree tent.
Kids and adults opened their envelopes at 11 a.m. in front of City Hall to release live monarch butterflies. The butterfly tent filled with fluttering monarchs was the most popular exhibit of the day.
DJ Dave of Pyramid Disc Jockeys ran contests for the kids. There was also a face painting tent. The Palm Coast Fire Department brought its two-story, three-room Public Safety Simulator that shows children and adults fire hazards to watch out for in the home. The Florida Forestry Service focused on wildfire awareness.
At the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation tent, Curator Nick Clark removed a timber rattlesnake from its cage to a plastic box and back again after he added an icepack to regulate the snake’s temperature.
The Arbor Day event also included a photo contest. Residents could submit up to three photos from the event no later than midnight May 8. Prizes will be given to the top three photos selected.
“This event is about so much more than trees,” City of Palm Coast Urban Forester Carol Mini said in a press release. “It’s about bringing together Palm Coast families and friends to share in our passion for trees and keeping Palm Coast green.”