Trees planted for Gentry’s future

GENTRY — Arbor Day was observed Thursday, with trees being planted on the Gentry Primary and Intermediate School campuses and more trees being planted on Saturday to establish riparian buffers along Flint Creek and Little Flint Creek.

Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue, city council members, Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Bev Saunders, urban forestry coordinator Patti Erwin of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, Terry Stanfill of SWEPCO, Delia Haak of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership and Gentry students all took part in the special event.

Hogue read a proclamation to students declaring Thursday Arbor Day in Gentry. Erwin and Haak spoke about the benefits of planting trees to protect streams and rivers. Students then assisted in planting a tree on each of the school campuses.

On Friday, Marshall Mitchell entertained and educated students at the Gentry Primary and Intermediate Schools with music and information about the importance of planting trees for the future and establishing riparian buffers to prevent runoff of soil, fertilizers and chemicals into streams and rivers. The concert was sponsored by the Illinois River Watershed Partnership.

More tree planting activities took place Saturday morning at the Eagle Watch Nature area and on private lands owned by the Feemster Family along the FlintCreek near Arkansas Highway 59. Even though the morning was cold and damp, more than 40 people showed up to help with the tree planting at Eagle Watch Nature Area, and the planting was done in less than an hour.

The observance of Arbor Day in Gentry and the tree planting activity is all a part of a move by the city to become a Tree City U.S.A.

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership, working together with the GentryChamber of Commerce and the city councils of Gentry and Springtown, obtained a grant to help establish a riparian buffer along the Flint Creek and its tributaries in the Gentry and Springtown area. Flint Creek is a tributary of the Illinois River and a part of Illinois River watershed.

A tree survey was completed by urban forester Peter Rausch. The city plans to consider and adopt an ordinance establishing an advisory committee to serve as a tree board. The board will help the city develop a tree management plan and establish guidelines for the planting, care and removal of trees which are on public and city-managed properties.