On Saturday, April 14, twenty persons braved the elements to gather at Homer Lake Preserve and plant two 12-foot tall native Kentucky coffee trees near the park's new wetlands restoration project. Organized by the Champaign County Democrats Meet-Up, the event featured Daniel Olson, Director of Natural Resources at the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, who entertained participants with a lively account of the park, the wetlands project, and the importance of trees in combating global warming. He and his staff supervised the planting project.

State Senator Mike Frerichs, his chief of staff, four Frerichs interns, and County Auditor Toni Fabri joined the effort and provided muscle to help dig holes for the trees. Although the weather was inclement for humans, it was extremely favorable for planting trees, and the rain decreased until the second tree was mulched.

Kentucky coffee trees are members of the pea family, and as giant legumes they fix nitrogen in the soil. They prefer river bottoms and wetlands so they should thrive in their new home. These splendid trees were selected and discounted for the project by Dennis Wandell of Wandell Nursery.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1874, in Nebraska. Today, the U.S. celebrates Arbor Day on the last Friday in April, but a number of state Arbor Days are celebrated from January and February in the south to May in the far north. The holiday is currently observed in more than 30 countries worldwide.

More information about our Arbor Day celebration and other local activities may be obtained by contacting the Champaign County Democrats Headquarters at 359-3760, by email at info@champaigncountydemocrats.org, or on their Web site at www.champaigncountydemocrats.org.