Whew, now that the 2013 cornbread festival is behind us, our blog should have a little more activity – because the activity in and around the garden continues in full bloom, even though the trees are turning and will soon be “sad because they’re bald-headed,” as a little girl I once knew described trees in winter.
Which brings us to the topic of this post – trees, a cool organization that plants them and a fun evening in which you can help support that organization. Right here in The Bernice Garden.
Friday night, Nov. 8, garden regulars Ed and Laura Sergeant and Tree Streets will host a “Tree Ball” in the garden from 5-8 p.m., in conjunction with 2nd Friday Night Art Walk. The event is a fundraiser so the group can continue its mission, which we’ll get to in a sec. Cost is $10 for Tree Street Members, $15 for nonmembers.
And of course you can join at the event.
But why should you, you might ask? To help “green” downtown by planting trees, that’s why.
Ed Sergeant explains the “why” well: “Quite simply, there is nothing greener than a tree. They shade our streets, create walkable neighborhoods, lessen the heat effect and reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is the greatest contributor to global warming.”
Tree Streets planted these trees leading to historic Central High School.
Tree Streets members were forward-thinking when they formed the group in 1997. Since then they’ve planted 1,200+ trees throughout the inner city, along the Central High Trail, as part of the South Main Street Project – and they replaced trees wiped out by the big tornado of 1999.
You can see a “Tree Map” of their plantings (and drive by to see how they’ve grown) at www.TreeStreets.com.
Tree Streets has also partnered with the Arkansas Audubon Society to plant 280 trees in the watershed of Swaggerty Creek.
The funds raised Friday will go toward tree planting and maintenance.
“We depend solely on volunteers, so we are able to apply most all funds (90 cents per dollar or more)” to planting trees, Ed says. “Climate change has doubled our operating expenses — we must provide constant water and maintenance for the newly planted trees for one to two years until they are established.”
Tree Street members stop digging and planting long enough to pose for a nice group picture.
What a good cause! Beside helping with that, if you come Friday night, you’ll meet the Tree Streets Board members, Ed says, and “learn more about what we do and join us to honor Anita Davis, for her creative genius: Bernice Garden, Bernice Building, The Root Cafe, The Esse Purse Museum.”
Music appetizers and beverages are part of the event, too. So come on out for a nice evening and a good cause.
Next up, on the tree front will be the annual tree lighting on Dec. 5. But we’ll save details until later. Mark your calendars for both events!