FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 17, 2015) – More than a year ago, an estimated 1,800 trees were harvested from General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton in an effort to curb the infestation of the deadly emerald ash borer. Thursday, April 16, more than 70 students from Huntertown Elementary School in Woodford County helped begin the process of reforesting the park as they planted 200 seedlings to mark Kentucky’s celebration of Arbor Day. The students were joined by staff from the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the Department of Parks as they planted a mixture of seven tree species. “Conserving our natural resources is a priority of this administration and Kentuckians,” said Leah MacSwords, director of the Division of Forestry. “It is encouraging that our citizens plant nearly a half million trees as an act of good stewardship and in celebration of Arbor Day throughout the month of April.” Department of Parks Commissioner Elaine Walker spoke with the sixth graders about the importance of their efforts in bringing trees back to the park. “Of the 2,000 trees at General Butler, all but about 56 were ash, and that means we lost a great number of trees that are an important part of the many features our visitors look forward to seeing when they visit Kentucky Parks,” said Commissioner Walker. “Your efforts are critical in beginning the process of redeveloping our landscape.” The seedling planting is part of Kentucky’s 20/20 Vision for Reforestation with the goal of planting 20 million seedlings across the Commonwealth over the next 20 years.
Blog
