ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On Friday, April 24, trees were planted in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach in honor of Arbor Day.
Participants in the annual Arbor Day events included city officials from the three Anna Maria Island cities, the Anna Maria Island Garden Club, Keep Manatee Beautiful, the Scenic W.AV.E.S. Partnership Committee, the Florida Forest Service and the Modern Woodmen of America and other community advocates.
A gumbo limbo tree was planted at Jacaranda Park in Anna Maria. A silver buttonwood tree was planted at Prince Park in Holmes Beach. The city of Holmes Beach and the Islanders 4 Clean Water initiative hosted a coinciding “Free Tree Giveaway” on the city hall property, during which silver buttonwood and green buttonwood trees were given away.
A sabal palm tree, a coconut palm tree and a sea grape were planted at Katie Perola Sunset Park in Bradenton Beach. A wildlife education sign was also installed.
The tree planting ceremonies were followed by the Florida Forest Service’s All-American Cookout Lunch featuring free hot dogs and hamburgers at the Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach.
“Arbor Day celebrates the importance of trees to our Island environment, health and community spirit,” AMI Garden Club President Renitia Bertoluzzi said in a press release distributed in advance.
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