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The 134th Arbor Day celebration was recently held on February 17, 2006 at the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center.

This date had been officially declared Arbor Day by a joint proclamation by Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley and County Commissioner Lamar Paris. The proclamation was read at the Arbor Day Celebration. Among other things, it stated that, "Trees provide a more livable environment for mankind, providing clean air and removing pollutants."

The Georgia Forestry Commission, Union and Towns County High School Agricultural classes, members of the Blairsville Garden Club, and other community representatives were present to participate in the event.

Joe Garner, Superintendent of the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center welcomed everyone. Garner said, "Trees constitute a hope for our future. Trees and native plants are among our most valuable resources."

With this in mind, the students from Towns and Union Counties watched a demonstration by Community Council Technician, Clare Johnston. She explained how to correctly plant a tree. "First, be sure to plant the seedling at the same depth as it was originally grown. Next, firm the dirt carefully around the roots and keep the seedling watered for the first two month. Young trees need one inch of water every week to get off to a good start."

The young people gathered up shovels and went to work. Guests watched as the agricultural students planted black walnut, loblloly, franklinia, hop horn beam, and other native varieties of trees in the Successive Ecological Forest area of the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center.

JoAnne Allen and other Blairsville Garden Club members worked right beside the young people to help get the 60 trees in the ground. The Garden Club is very involved in the Arbor Day festivities. They encourage everyone to participate in the planting of trees.

The 134th Arbor Day Celebration was a success. The weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful view.