Southport Tree Champion Recognition

A Southport Tree Champion was recognized at the Aldermen meeting on August 10 at 6:00 pm at the Southport Community Building. What and who is this all about? Keep reading.

Southport is known for its urban forest. Take a walk around town. In the summer heat, the shade of those mature live oaks helps make it possible to enjoy all that Southport has to offer, including the trees themselves. When asked what drew them to settle in the city, new residents’ comments  often include mention of the trees, with a sigh of remembrance of that first impression. Long-time residents can be passionate about preserving these beautiful live oaks that are a part of the fabric and history of Southport.

One such live oak advocate was Betty Timberlake, a founding member and former chair of  the Forestry Committee, who put her enthusiasm to work in getting others to notice and care about these trees. Through her family’s foundation she contributed nearly 350 live oak trees that were planted throughout the town over 20 years. She created the “Where is this tree?” contest with the State Port Pilot, and she initiated the Tree Champion program to recognize those whose activities demonstrate exceptional consideration for maintaining our distinctive urban forest.

In the wake of all the development that has been happening and the collateral damage to the number and health of mature trees, the Forestry Committee has decided to take a positive approach in recognizing those who make efforts to preserve our beautiful forest, by bringing back the Tree Champion program.

Recognition as a Tree Champion is for those who contribute in a meaningful way to preserving or increasing the tree canopy, especially the live oaks, in our town. Some examples include, but are not limited to, designing or placing new structures to preserve mature trees, replacing removed trees with more or larger-sized trees than required, educating others about tree care and maintenance, or donating (any amount) to the purchase of trees for planting on public property. Either individuals or groups of people may be nominated. What if there were a developer who could be recognized for special tree-related efforts?!

Do you know someone who could qualify as a tree champion? Anyone may nominate a person or group by submitting the form on the Tree Champion tab [link to tab]. The nominee or nominator do not necessarily have to be residents of Southport, but the benefit of the recognized activity must ultimately be to trees in the municipality or its extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). As you travel about town keep an eye open for positive efforts related to trees and nominate those responsible for Tree Champion recognition.

Please plan to attend the Alderman’s meeting on 10 at 6:00 pm at the Southport Community Building to applaud Allison Scouler, the first recipient of our re-established Tree Champion recognition award. She will receive a Southport Tree Champion certificate presented by Mayor Hatem and the Forestry Committee for her special efforts to preserve a beautiful mature live oak and other trees on her lot when building her house on Clarendon Avenue. Join us in celebrating Ally’s contribution to our city’s treescape.