NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 3, 1999

TREE PLANTING AT REEDY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CARY, NC – Fifth graders at Reedy Creek Elementary School will be joined by Town of Cary staff to beautify their campus by planting fifty trees in an open area that includes a small amphitheater. Through this hands-on event, students will learn how to plant trees, why it is beneficial to plant them, and why fall is an optimal time of the year to do so.

"Working with children helps educate all of the citizens of Cary about how and why to plant trees," said Shaub Dunkley, Horticultural Planner, "and this event illustrates the benefits of partnerships between the Town and other community organizations."

At 8:30 AM on Tuesday, December 7, Dunkley will teach student leaders and parent volunteers how to plant trees so they can in turn help other students. Between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, each of the fifth grade classes will come out to plant more trees. Earlier, Town staff met and worked with a student project team to decide on the location for the planting and the number of trees.

The Town of Cary, recipient of the Tree City USA award for 16 consecutive years, supports tree planting events as part of its ongoing municipal tree program. This planting project, along with a November 6 planting project at the Town’s Garmon Operations Center which was organized by Matt Ridgeway, an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 210, will be featured as part of a review of the Town's tree activities of the past year during Arbor Day 2000 celebrations.

In case of rain, the tree planting will be held on Tuesday, December 14.