It takes everyone to help keep our planet beautiful

Noblesville Tree Board & SMC, Westfield Parks & Duke Energy come together for Arbor Day

On Friday, dozens of people in the cities of Noblesville and Westfield came together to plant trees in celebration of Arbor Day.

In Westfield, employees from Duke Energy and various city departments planted trees at Asa Bales Park. The team enjoyed perfect weather. The project was made possible in part by a Duke Energy Foundation grant.

Duke Energy employees and Westfield city employees planted trees at Asa Bales Park. (Photos provided by Mark LaBarr, Duke Energy Government & Community Relations Manager)

In Noblesville, SMC Corporation of America joined Mayor Chris Jensen and the city’s Tree Board members to plant trees at Same As U, 19201 Promise Road. Same As U is one of the inaugural Noblesville Tree Planning Grant recipients.

Noblesville and SMC have forged a strong partnership, harnessing the power of community to drive economic growth, workforce development, and attraction strategies. This winter, both extended this collaboration to environmentalism, announcing plans for a tree planting grant program to coincide with Earth Day and Arbor Day. The tree planning grant program is led by the Tree Board.

“Arbor Day is a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions trees make to our community,” Jensen said. “I extend my gratitude to SMC Corporation of America and the Tree Board for creating this new avenue for collaboration, which will undoubtedly benefit our community and the sustainability of our natural resources for generations to come.”

“SMC is committed to investing in the long-term sustainability of our community,” SMC President and CEO Kelley Stacy said. “We’re incredibly proud to partner with the City of Noblesville and the Tree Board to create equitable access to the benefits that trees and green spaces provide. From beautifying our city streets to reducing CO₂, this grant will allow our neighbors to enjoy the amazing amenities that native species trees bring to our community.”

SMC Corporation donated $2,000 to the tree planting grant program, which has been matched by the City of Noblesville through Mayor Jensen and the Common Council. Additional inaugural grant recipients include Deer Creek Elementary School, Mill Grove, Deer Path, Oakmont, and Verdure Sciences.

(From left) Mayor Chris Jensen, SMC President and CEO Kelley Stacy, Same As U Executive Director Jennifer Sell and Noblesville Urban Forester John Easley prepare to plant a Swamp White Oak tree at Same as U in honor of Arbor Day. (Photo provided by City of Noblesville)

“The Noblesville Tree Board is proud to partner with SMC and the community as we work to increase the tree canopy cover of our city,” Tree Board President Ashley Mulis said. “Trees benefit all Noblesville citizens with their ability to mitigate pollution, reduce flooding, lower energy costs and increase property values. We look forward to continuing this effort for years to come.”

Each recipient will receive five 15- to 18-gallon native trees – approximately six to eight feet tall – along with water bags and mulch. Friday’s planting at Same As U also included Mayor Jensen’s annual Arbor Day Proclamation, as the city marks 34 consecutive years of being named a Tree City USA recipient by the Arbor Day Foundation.

“Same As U is thrilled to be one of the recipients of the Noblesville Tree Planting Grant! Just like their peers without disabilities, our students are lifelong learners that care about the planet,” Same As U Executive Director Jennifer Sell said. “We are excited and grateful to have this opportunity to plant trees on Arbor Day. These trees will serve as the perfect segue to lessons on caring for our campus and community.”