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Albany,
NY – April 2020 / Newsmaker Alert / New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner
Basil Seggos announces that Paul Bergwall of Honeoye Falls, Monroe County,
is the winner of DEC’s annual Arbor Day Artwork Contest.
“While
Arbor Day is an annual opportunity to recognize the value of trees, it
also provides a reminder of what we can do to protect them,” said Commissioner
Seggos. “Utilizing proper tree planting techniques and remembering the
importance of care throughout a tree’s life are critical steps to protect
New York’s urban and community forests for years to come. Congratulations
to Paul Bergwall for taking this year’s honor in truly capturing the countless
benefits and beauty that trees provide every day.”
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The
annual contest accepts artwork and photography submissions of trees in
New York State. The winning poster design is featured on the State’s official
Arbor Day poster and is selected by a committee comprised of representatives
from DEC, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, International
Paper, Empire State Forest Products Association, and the New York State
Arborist Association. Bergwall’s design stood out among this year’s 240
submissions for successfully capturing the charismatic and inspirational
qualities of trees.
Arbor
Day is a nationally celebrated observance held on the last Friday of April
each year. Originally established in 1872 to encourage farmers and homesteaders
to plant trees for shade, fuel, and beauty in open areas, today it is an
opportunity to celebrate the vital role of trees in our lives.
While
many traditional public Arbor Day ceremonies around the state have been
postponed, there are many ways communities and families can celebrate while
practicing social distancing. Visit DEC’s
website for ideas about how to safely and responsibly celebrate Arbor
Day 2020 on April 24.
The
annual State Arbor Day Poster contest is announced each September and runs
through December. Those interested in participating in the 2021 contest
should visit DEC’s website
for more information.
The
recently enacted 2020-21 State Budget includes several initiatives to continue
improving, protecting, and promoting healthy trees and forests, including
the $3 billion Restore Mother Nature Environmental Bond Act and $300 million
for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), among other investments. The
EPF includes $500,000 proposed in Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Executive
Budget for a new Community Forest grant program. Keeping forests as forestland
is a key component of meeting the State’s carbon-reduction targets in the
historic
Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Community
Forests grants will also provide municipalities or groups the ability to
preserve open space while providing for local public recreation and sustainable
forestry that ensures continued carbon sequestration and outdoor educational
opportunities.
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New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees
more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails and
boat launches, which are visited by 77 million people annually. A recent
university study found that spending by State Parks and its visitors support
$5 billion in output and sales, 54,000 private-sector jobs and more than
$2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these
recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit parks.ny.gov,
connect on Facebook, or
follow us on Instagram
and Twitter.
Press
Office:
Lori
Severino, PIO
NYS-DEC
Albany,
NY
518-402-8000
Source
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