Community Arbor Day 2019

Supporters of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph who donated $100 or more during the latest “Be a New Creation” annual appeal had a tree planted in their honor on April 13, 2019, during the Community Arbor Day Event.

The Ursuline Sisters purchased 400 trees that were planted by volunteers in just 31 minutes at Thompson-Berry Park in Owensboro, Ky. Another 100 trees were purchased to be planted at Maple Mount. The event brought out Girl Scout troops, city officials, members of Girls Incorporated, and Ursuline donors to get the trees planted. Here are some photos from the day.

Sondra Hagan, left, an engineering technician with the city of Owensboro, instructs the volunteers on how to plant the trees. Sister Amelia Stenger, right, welcomed and thanked everyone who donated and who came to volunteer.
Sister Amelia Stenger shows a young lady the proper technique for planting a tree.
Carol Braden-Clarke, left, director of development for the Ursuline Sisters, takes some trees to plant from Sister Amelia Stenger.
Holes were predug for 400 trees, marked by green flags. The black collars were placed around the trees once planted to protect them. The varieties of trees planted included white pine, black cherry, black oak, pecan and swamp white oak. At left is Mike Stelmach, an employee of the Ursuline Sisters.
City Commissioner Larry Conder helped these young volunteers plant many trees. The location was chosen to help the nearby Thompson-Berry ditch stay clean and reduce erosion.
Sister Amelia Stenger stops for a moment to visit with Mike Stelmach, an employee of the Mount. Mike planted trees in honor of his mother, Genevieve Stelmach, a longtime donor of the Ursuline Sisters who died in 2018.
Sister Amelia helped the youngest tree planter, 7-month-old Axel, learn a little about nature.