Philip Murray Students Celebrate Arbor Day With Art & Education Activities
April 25 2006 - 3:45PM
PR Newswire (US)
Duquesne Light Teams With Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission and
Other Partners for Tree Plantings PITTSBURGH, April 25
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- History will repeat itself this Friday,
April 28, as students of Philip Murray School in Mt. Oliver will
plant a number of trees in honor of Arbor Day, just as Nebraska
City students did to commemorate the first official celebration of
the day 121 years ago. The school, with grades K-7, will
participate in a series of outdoor sessions where students will
learn about tree care and planting, take part in a related art
program, and learn the history and significance of Arbor Day and
tree identification. They will have the assistance of more than 25
Duquesne Light Company (NYSE:DQE) employee volunteers as well as
representatives of Conservation Consultants, Inc., the Pittsburgh
Shade Tree Commission, Pittsburgh City Schools, the Carnegie
Library of Pittsburgh, and the City of Pittsburgh Public Works -
Forestry Division. Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor will speak at a
short program that begins at 10 a.m. The idea of students planting
trees on Arbor Day dates back to its first celebration as a legal
holiday in 1885 in Nebraska. At that time, students of different
grades met at their respective schoolrooms for the purpose of
planting at least one tree. Each tree that was planted was labeled
with the grade and the time planted. The children also took
responsibility for the care of "their" trees. "Tree planting is a
way to reintroduce young people to the environment around them,"
said Jennifer Arkett, Duquesne Light manager of vegetation
management. "Trees are an important part of our lives. They are in
our neighborhoods and parks, a part of the urban as well as the
suburban landscape. Arbor Day celebrations remind us of their
contribution to the quality of our lives, and to the aesthetic
value of our neighborhoods." Duquesne Light has an active
vegetation management group, which advises Pittsburgh area
residents on proper tree selection for the yard and areas near
existing utility lines. For the eighth consecutive year, the
company has earned the Tree Line USA award. The National Arbor Day
Foundation bestows the Tree Line USA award to utilities that
provide quality tree care, annual worker training, and tree
planting and public education. Again this year, the company is
working in conjunction with the City of Pittsburgh, which recently
received the distinction of being named a Tree City USA, also from
the National Arbor Day Foundation. Obtaining the Tree City
designation has been a long time goal of the Pittsburgh Shade Tree
Commission. "We are very pleased to have finally achieved that
status since it reminds people that trees are a critical element of
the quality of life in Pittsburgh and a point of community pride,"
said Diana Aimes, commission chair. This is the first time the city
has received the award, which is given to cities that meet
standards established to ensure that a qualifying community has a
viable tree management plan and program. People who are planning to
plant a tree in observance of Arbor Day should choose the right
tree for the location. "Be sure to look up to make sure no utility
wires are running overhead, or chose a tree that won't grow into
the wires," said Arkett. Individuals also are reminded to verify
the location of underground utilities when digging. For information
on which trees to plant in one's yard or community, please contact
Duquesne Light's Call Center at 1-888-393-7100. About Duquesne
Light Company Duquesne Light Company is a leader in the
transmission and distribution of electric energy, offering superior
customer service and reliability to more than half a million
customers in southwestern Pennsylvania. DATASOURCE: Duquesne Light
Company CONTACT: Joe Balaban of Duquesne Light Company,
+1-412-232-6848
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