Upon taking office in January, Mayor David Morris continued a project started under the leadership of former Mayor Belinda LaForce, to have Searcy named a Tree City USA. In 2010, the City Council adopted a Tree Ordinance and appointed the members of a Tree Board, which will work to enhance the tree coverage within the city.

Work has begun by the Board, which is made up of nine members: Richard Stafford, Steve Saunders, Marsha Hendricks, Freda Morgan, Sue Ekdahl, Wayne Cook, Tammy Dixon, Charlie Goff, and Patsy Pipkin along with Kenneth Coley, with the Arkansas Forestry Commission, and Sherry Sanders, with the White County Extension Office.

The Tree Board Committee studied the Arkansas Tree City USA Manual and plans made by other cities in Arkansas in order to understand the requirements to be met before Searcy can become a Tree City USA. A Vision Statement, Bylaws, and a Management Plan have been adopted, and Tammy Dixon was elected to Chair the Board. Working with Lillie Cook, from the mayor’s office, goals have been established to address the needs for a tree maintenance policy, and all requirements have been establishing to allow participation in the Tree City USA Program.

Tree committee assignments are: Bylaws and Management, Stephen Saunders, Chair, Tammy Dixon, and Lillie Cook, Advisor. Website: Richard Stafford, Chair, Tammy Dixon, and Lillie Cook, advisor. Arbor Day Celebration: Freda Morgan, Chair, Patsy Pipkin, and Wayne Cook. Speakers Bureau and Publicity: Patsy Pipkin, Chair, Freda Morgan and Kenneth Coley, advisor. Fundraising Committee (Grants and Certification by Tree City): Tammy Dixon, Chair, and Lillie Cook. Ordinance and Interaction Planning: Richard Stafford and Wayne Cook.

The Arkansas Forestry Commission has designated the Deodar Cedar located at the southwest corner of the White County Courthouse as an Arkansas State Champion Tree.  A celebration is being planned for sometime in August at which time a monument will be place at the location. In addition, plans are being made for the city to participate in an Arbor Day Celebration in the fall. The date and place will be made at a later date. The board also plans to have a booth during the Get Down/Downtown Celebration.

The Board is working to establish a speaker’s bureau where local civic clubs can obtain the names of people who will be available to discuss the Arkansas Tree City USA goals and objectives, and learn what it means to the community for Searcy to participate in this effort.

Helpful links:
www.arkforests.org
www.arkansasgrove.org
www.arkansastrees.org
www.urbanforestrysouth.org
www.nationaltreepreservation.com
For the children: www.discovertheforest.org