Linden-Kildare FFA members speak on Arbor Day and deliver serious understandings of forestry. Shown here, in no certain order, are Jon George, Kalysa Robert, Jackson Steben and Luke Slatton.
Linden-Kildare high school student Ja Maiya Mack sings the National Anthem as a solo. while the crowd listens attentively. Jon George and Luke Slatton are at left.
Texas Forest Service, Linden District resource specialist Michael Weerts is passionate about trees and forests, especially the wild kind, Mother Nature’s product. He speaks on several occasions and leads learning activities.
Members of the Linden-Kildare Elementary Student Council are leading pledges for Texas Arbor Day. In no certain order, they are Hadlee Fant,Victoria Ulrich, Harper Steven and Diego Pena.
Arbor Day in Linden
It would be safe to say there were tree huggers among the adults and youth who gathered at Linden’s City Park Friday morning for Texas Arbor Day.
Several speakers spoke of loving trees and forests, of taking care of Mother Nature for our children and grandchildren.
Texas Arbor Day is all about this. First, the day is a holiday in Texas. Second and sufficiently, Texas sets this day aside for us to remember our forests and be thankful.
Elementary student Aamiyah Mack when asked why she celebrated forests and especially the manicured city park where she was celebrating, responded quickly, “Because,” she said, “everything is so beautiful.”
Texas Forest Service and Linden District resource specialist Michael Weerts spoke loudly and clearly, “It is my job to help Texans learn how to take care of our trees and forests. Trees are living things. They require certain things to stay alive just like we do. And what do they give us in return? Clean air, clean water, shade to protect our skin, food we eat, beauty and more.”
Another elementary student, Ja Maiya Mack, had sung the National Anthem as a solo. while the crowd held hands over hearts. High school FFA students had read detailed articles about caring for plants and flowers.
Linden City Manager Lee Elliott took a moment to call down and personally thank city employees Scott Ross, Allie Anderson and Michael Riley and the forest service for the attention they had given the city’s park. “Beyond expectations,” he said. “Your work is impressive to everyone this day.”
Texas Arbor Day is, of course, over 130 years old. The day marks the beginning of tree planting season, and several persons present pointed with pride to trees they had planted or cared for in the park.
“We plant baby trees in the fall,” said Weerts. “They need a lot of care when they are little just like we do. Planting baby trees is one of the most important things we can do,” he concluded.
Linden became a Texas Tree City USA in 2022, the first such town in this area.
And with that, Arbor Day concluded in Linden’s Park. It is likely on this day many people were pleased not only to be tree huggers but also to be citizens concerned for others.