For Release: April 22, 2005
Contact: Carol Terry
Public Information Officer
Prince George's County
Department of Environmental Resources
301-883-5961

County Officials Kick Off the Peace Tree Project and Arbor Day

LARGO, MD – Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Alfonso N. Cornish and other honored guests joined the students and faculty of Thomas Claggett Elementary School today for a joint celebration of the Peace Tree Project Kickoff and Arbor Day.

During the celebration, Cornish outlined the plans for County Executive Jack Johnson’s Peace Tree Project. As part of the Livable Communities Initiative, the project will include the planting of 10,000 trees from early spring through October. This spring, approximately 2,500 volunteers will be planting 4,000 trees at over 100 locations throughout the county. The remaining 6,000 trees will be planted in the fall, culminating with the 10,000th tree being planted on Gorgeous Prince George’s Day in October.

As Cornish spoke to over 300 students, he emphasized that the Peace Tree Project is not just about planting trees.

“The Peace Tree Project is about the students, citizens and residents of Prince George’s County coming together in a spirit of peace, harmony and tranquility,” said Cornish. “Our goal with this project is to teach everyone a respect for the earth and all living creatures.”

Reverend Vandy Kennedy, president and CEO of the Walker Mill Community Development Corporation (CDC), discussed his Living, Loving and Learning Program, which encourages students to plant flowers and trees to promote unity in their community.

“As a volunteer group in Prince George’s County for the last 16 years, the Walker Mill CDC is helping to bring unity into the community through a combined effort with other organizations and the Prince George’s County Livable Communities Initiative,” said Reverend Kennedy. “I feel that we are on the right track to changing this community and the surrounding area.”

Police Chief Melvin C. High presented the school with a “Rose of Sharon” bush and extended an invitation to the school to participate in the call for peace.

“If we are to have a world that is free from violence and hatred, then we have to teach our young people that they must learn to show peace and love for one’s neighbors, family and self,” said Chief High. “By planting a ‘Rose of Sharon,’ these students will have a visible symbol to remind them that peace can overcome hatred and, by living peacefully, we can stop the violence.”

Donna M.P. Wilson, Esq., director, Department of Environmental Resources (DER), presented a proclamation to Carol Barbour, principal of Thomas Claggett Elementary School. The proclamation, which was signed by both the county executive and Council Chairman Samuel Dean, proclaimed April 22 as Arbor Day and the Peace Tree Project Kickoff, and encouraged citizens and residents to become stewards of the environment.

“I commend the students and faculty of Thomas Claggett Elementary School for planting these trees to beautify both the school and the community,” said Ms. Wilson. “Their environmental stewardship and efforts to promote harmony in the community embody the goals of the county executive’s Livable Communities Initiative.”

On behalf of the county, Cornish accepted the Tree City USA Award from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Service.

“Prince George’s County is proud to be the only county in the nation to have received this award for 21 consecutive years,” said Cornish. “The county has long been an advocate of protecting and maintaining our forest resources and this award shows our continued commitment to that effort.”

After the ceremony, the honored guests, students and faculty planted the Arbor Day Tree and “Rose of Sharon.” Throughout the day, staff from DER and the Department of Public Works and Transportation assisted the students and faculty in planting 25 trees to landscape the entrance to their school and the schoolyard.

For information on the Arbor Day Celebration, contact Mary Fulton, DER’s Environmental Services Division, at (301) 883-5906. For more information on the Peace Tree Project, contact Joyce Beck, Prince George’s County Police Department, at (301) 772-4880.

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