Press Release

WHO:

• Commissioner Bill Beardsley, Maine Department of Conservation;

• Doug Denico, Maine state forester and director, Maine Forest Service;

• Frank Knight, special guest, 102-year-old former Yarmouth tree warden and guardian of “Herbie,” the iconic Yarmouth elm tree;

• Family members of Stanley Bennett II, chairman and CEO of Oakhurst Dairy, posthumous winner of the Frank Knight Community Forestry Excellence Award;

• Winners of the 2010 Tree City USA Awards;

• Representatives of the 22 Maine schools receiving Arbor Week Tree-Planting Grants;

• Jan Ames Santerre, Project Canopy director.

WHAT:

• Arbor Day Celebration 2011, including the presentation of the second annual Frank Knight Community Forestry Excellence Award, named in honor of Frank Knight.

WHEN:

• Monday, May 16, 2011
  Reception: 1-1:30 p.m. Awards: 1:30-2:30 p.m.

WHERE:

• Atrium, Maine State Museum, 230 State Street Augusta, Maine 04330

As part of the Arbor Day Celebration 2011, MDOC Commissioner Bill Beardsley and Doug Denico, Maine state forester, will present the Frank Knight Community Forestry Excellence Award to the Stanley Bennett II family and honor municipal representatives as winners of the 2010 Tree City USA Awards. They also will recognize the 22 Maine schools that have won Arbor Week Tree-Planting Grants, totaling more than $17,000.

Items made from the wood of “Herbie” will be on display, and tree seedlings provided by Central Maine Power will be available.

This year’s theme is: “Trees – Growing Our Economy,” with a focus on how community forestry contributes to Maine’s economy.

For more information, contact Jan Ames Santerre at 287-4987 or at: jan.santerre@maine.gov

Go to: http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/projectcanopy/