TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. — The Town of Tonawanda has received a $20,000 state grant for a community tree nursery.
Located on Woodward Avenue at the Town of Tonawanda Highway Department, the nursery will hold 200 trees from different species with an on-site reservoir and irrigation system.
The nursery is designed with a focus on sustainability. The pathways are made from recycled pavement from Tonawanda streets. The mulch is made from trees removed by the Highway Department.
State Senator Sean Ryan says trees are an important part of the community.
“It’s easy to take them for granted, but trees play a huge role in creating and maintaining healthy and attractive communities,” Ryan said in a release. “They beautify our towns, improve air quality, and increase property values in our neighborhoods.”
Every year, 50 trees from the nursery will move to different locations in Tonawanda targeted for community development and environmental justice.
Joseph H. Emminger, the Town of Tonawanda Supervisor, said the town is still recovering from the 2006 October Surprise Storm that damaged close to 27,000 trees. He adds, “The tree farm will allow us to grow and maintain a healthy stock of trees that will be planted to replace trees that had to be removed.”
The Highway Department and local community groups will work to educate the public about the value of trees, including general tree care, pruning, and mulching.
“The community tree nursery began as a fun idea and has grown into a program that we think will have a real impact on the Town of Tonawanda,” says Brian E. Fittry, Town of Tonawanda Deputy Superintendent of Highways.
The nursery aims to add hundreds of new trees and promote proper tree maintenance in the community.
On June 26, Jason Orlando of the Town of Tonawanda Highway Department will speak about tree maintenance and will guide a tour of the tree farm. The event takes place at the the highway department, located at 450 Woodward Avenue at 7pm.
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