Over the past 31 years, the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission has planted more than 900 trees in the community, bringing beauty and environmental benefits to the town. The Columbia Tree Society, which is the fundraising auxiliary for the commission, has begun its annual membership drive for 2022.
The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission strives to encourage street tree plantings as well as the addition of trees in yards, parks and public places, said William Kloidt, Columbia Arbor Day chairperson.
"Shade trees are important to Columbia as they supply natural cover from the hot sun in the summer and serve as wind breakers in winter and spring, which provide practical benefits such as lower heating and air-conditioning costs," he noted. "In the fall they provide an inspirational assortment of colors when the leaves turn. They serve as filters for rainwater, which assists in keeping soil and sediment from flowing into streets and streams, then into the Susquehanna River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay." Trees also increase property values, reduce air pollution, calm traffic and lower noise levels, he remarked, adding that even crime rates are lower in areas of tree-lined streets.
Thanks to the efforts of the commission, Columbia has received "Tree City USA" designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation for 30 consecutive years.
This year's membership drive will be dedicated to the memory of Edmund A. Wickenheiser Jr. Having a long career in radio and television broadcasting, Wickenheiser voluntarily served as master of ceremonies for a multitude of Columbia events over the years. His career began at Columbia Radio Station WCOY and continued at WGAL Radio, and then WSBA Radio, where he worked as a journalist, news director and operations director. He was the news director at WGAL TV for 21 years before retiring in 2000. A Marine Corps veteran who served three terms of active duty during the Cold War, Vietnam War and Persian Gulf War, he was a life member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 294 and the Catholic War Veterans Post 1306. He passed away in 2019.
Membership dues for the Columbia Tree Society are minimal, but they have maximum impact, Kloidt commented. "I would encourage every citizen to become a member of the Tree Society, as their dues help support all of (our work)," he said. "Members' dues help the Shade Tree Commission purchase and plant new street trees and trim and prune exiting street trees."
Along with student, individual, family, business and life membership options, people may purchase a memorial certificate for a deceased loved one. The certificate will be presented to the donor at the annual Arbor Day observance scheduled for Friday, April 29, 2022, at Janson Park, Sixth and Cherry streets, Columbia.
The Shade Tree Commission partners with the Columbia Park Rangers in maintaining street trees and park trees. For more information on the commission or the membership drive, contact Kloidt at 717-201-5134.
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