PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills celebrated their Annual Arbor Day celebration at the Parsippany Municipal Building, on Friday, April 24.
Parsippany also is celebrating 39 years as Tree City USA.
Attending the celebration was Mayor James Barberio, Councilman Michael dePierro, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Freeholders Doug Cabana and Tom Mastrangelo, Parsippany-Troy Hills Business Administrator Ellen Sandman, Superintendent of Schools Scott Rixford, Parks and Forestry Department Superintendant James Walsh, the First Grade Class of Little School and the Second Grade Class from Mt. Tabor School.
In addition, Jack Shuart, Tree City USA, presented Parsippany Township and both elementary schools with a banner honoring Parsippany as Tree City USA, 39 years in a row. Mr. Shuart stated that it is possible that Parsippany will be the host for the States 40th Anniversary Arbor Day celebration next year.
Everyone who attended received seedlings for planting, which was prepared by the Boy Scouts.
Bob Campbell, Sr. and his partners also demonstrated bee hives and educated the children about local honeybees.
Arbor Day (from the Latin arbor, meaning tree) is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, depending on climate and suitable planting season.
This year Arbor Day is celebrated on Friday, April 24.
The first American Arbor Day was originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States by J. Sterling Morton. On April 10, 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska.
Birdsey Northrop of Connecticut was responsible for globalizing it when he visited Japan in 1883 and delivered his Arbor Day and Village Improvement message. In that same year, the American Forestry Association made Northrop the Chairman of the committee to campaign for Arbor Day nationwide. He also brought his enthusiasm for Arbor Day to Australia, Canada, and Europe.
