AFC, AACD partnership plants more than 200,0000 seedlings

More than 38,000 pine seedlings and 173,000 hardwood seedlings have been planted in Arkansas this Spring as the result of a partnership between the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) and the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts (AACD). The planting was an effort to achieve one of 54 recommendations set forth by the Governor’s Commission on Global Warming, and exceeded their recommendation of planting 100,000 trees in Arkansas communities in 2009.

Local Conservation Districts helped to generate interest for the trees by placing advertising and distributing flyers in their local communities. AFC delivered nearly 135,000 tree seedlings to coolers throughout the state for 42 participating Conservation Districts to use for community tree planting projects or to provide to clubs and organizations such as Master Gardeners and Boy Scout troops. AFC personnel also distributed an additional 76,000 trees during school and public Arbor Day and Earth Day events.

“I am so pleased Governor Beebe’s Commission on Global Warming has completed a key objective: planting 100,000 trees in Arkansas communities,” said State Forester John T. Shannon. “The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts did a great job of coordinating planting.”

Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts contact information can be found online at www.aracd.org/CD/districts.htm, or by calling Program Administrator Debbie Moreland at (501) 682-2915. For more information about how to purchase AFC seedlings, click here.