NEWTOWN SQUARE–Newtown Township's Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) kicked off of Newtown’s first Arbor Day observance at Drexel Lodge Park. Twenty people attended and helped plant seven trees in strategic locations throughout the park.

During the tree planting event, EAC Chairman Paul Seligson discussed the overall Arbor Day concept and introduced Phil Rodbell, of the U.S. Forest Service, who emphasized the importance of replanting to offset the 25 percent tree cover loss in Southeastern Pennsylvania and of the TreeVitalize initiative to plant 1 million trees by 2020.

In addition, Rodbell explained the significance of this Arbor Day observance as the first step to Newtown’s journey to become part of the Tree City USA program. Brian Vadino, Watershed Specialist for Delaware County Conservation District also detailed specific benefits of trees and demonstrating correct tree planting.

Digging, mulching and watering included: Board of Supervisors Chairman Joseph Catania with two of his sons Jim and Luke, Township Manager Mike Trio, Parks & Recreation Board Chairman Bill Ebbeke, Dave Allen , EAC member,
Paul Seligson, EAC chairman, members of the Boy Scouts of Newtown Square, a handful of residents, friends and neighbors, and Rich Widmann, of the U.S. Forestry.

A flowering dogwood was planted adjacent to the butterfly garden to attract butterflies in the park. A sugar maple was planted to offer shade to the playground area and the other five trees, mostly river birch, were planted to act as riparian buffers in the moist area where the park lawn leads to the pond shoreline.