For Immediate Release
WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP RECEIVES 14TH TREE CITY USA AWARD AND EARNS STERLING AWARD DESIGNATION FROM NATIONAL ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

For additional information contact: Joseph T. Steuer, Chairman Whitpain Township Shade Tree Commission at (215) 243-5277

Blue Bell, PA - April 6, 2009. "Whitpain Township has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation" Shade Tree Chair Joseph T. Steuer announced today. "It is the fourteenth consecutive year Whitpain has received this national recognition," he added.

Steuer also announced that "Whitpain is the recipient of its tenth consecutive Tree City USA Growth Award, which is an added level of recognition that Tree City USA communities can achieve." He added: "This year is particularly significant since earning ten Growth Awards designates Whitpain Township as a Sterling Community. Only two other Pennsylvania communities have ever been designated a Sterling Community by the National Arbor Day Foundation."

Whitpain earned its 2008 Growth Award for completing three significant projects:

-Partnered with a local community homeowners' association to remove diseased and dangerous trees situated under power lines along a major road, and replaced them on a 2 for 1 ratio with more appropriate flowering pear trees that beautified a major corridor in Whitpain Township.

-Planted a memorial tree at a local elementary school providing a living memorial in remembrance of deceased former students.

-Incorporated trees into the science curriculum (grades four through six) of a local elementary school and served as a guest lecturer at one of the school's science classes.

Steuer added: "As chair of the Whitpain Township Shade Tree Commission, I am very proud of our Tree City USA designation for the fourteenth year and Growth Award achievement for the tenth time. I am delighted that we are only the third community throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to earn the National Arbor Day Foundation's Sterling award. It demonstrates our commitment to maintaining and preserving the natural beauty of this Township. Whitpain has an abundance of trees of magnificent size and significant age. The Commission hopes these awards create a public awareness that will help preserve and protect all of the trees in our Township and the surrounding communities."

The public is invited to attend the Township's annual Earth and Arbor Day program at which time these awards will be presented. It is scheduled for Thursday, April 30th at 10:00 AM in Prophecy Creek Park.

The Shade Tree Commission is charged with custody and control of trees in Whitpain Township. The Commission's responsibilities include planting, removing, maintaining and protecting trees located on Township public properties. The Commission also conducts programs that increase awareness of the value of trees and provides information for their proper care and maintenance. The Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM in the Whitpain Township Administration Building. The public is welcome to attend these meetings.


WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCES FIFTEENTH ANNUAL BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM

Blue Bell, PA - March 20, 2009. The Whitpain Township Shade Tree Commission is pleased to announce on this first day of spring that its annual beautification program will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2009. "Whitpain Township once again is offering bare-root shade trees and potted evergreen trees absolutely free to Whitpain homeowners through this program," Shade Tree Commission Chair Joseph T. Steuer announced today. The program will take place at Wentz Run Park. Steuer indicated: "This is the fifteenth anniversary of the program. Since 1995 the Commission has distributed more than 5,000 trees throughout Whitpain Township."

Steuer added: "As Chair of the Shade Tree Commission, I am delighted to announce on this first day of spring that Whitpain is continuing this program and that we will be distributing another 350-beautiful trees this year. This is indicative of the importance this Commission places on new plantings. While our efforts are generally focused on preservation and protection of significant or unusual trees, we are also committed to supporting programs that encourage residents to plant new trees that will be future champions. There is no other local program as developed or as significant as this one sponsored by Whitpain."

Whitpain residents wishing to participate can obtain additional information by contacting the Shade Tree Commission at (610) 277-2400 (ask for Lynne Schoppe) or on line at www.whitpaintownship.org.

The Shade Tree Commission is charged with custody and control of trees in Whitpain Township. The Commission's responsibilities include planting, removing, maintaining and protecting trees located on Township public properties. The Commission also conducts programs that increase awareness of the value of trees and provides information for their proper care and maintenance. The Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM in the Whitpain Township Administration Building. The public is welcome to attend these meetings.

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The Shade Tree Commission is charged with custody and control of trees in Whitpain Township. The Commission's responsibilities include planting, removing, maintaining and protecting trees located on Township public properties. The Commission also conducts programs that increase awareness of the value of trees and provides information for their proper care and maintenance. The Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM in the Whitpain Township Administration Building. The public is welcome to attend these meetings.

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