 In partnership with the City of Columbia Department of Forestry and Beautification and Parks and Rec, we have been planting 10,000 trees throughout the greater Columbia area for the past several years. Now somebody asked me where are these trees and my answer is everywhere. We had people reporting plantings from Blythewood to Lexington to Forest Acres and everywhere in between so our trees are everywhere. Now today with the mayor's help we will be planting the ceremonial 10,000th tree but I want to assure you just because this particular campaign is for you can step on the plastic planting is going to continue a pace in the City of Columbia. Forestry and beautification will continue what they always do and Columbia Green will also contribute continue its tree initiative grants. In the beginning of 2020 we hope to announce you a whole new tree initiative that will continue to help grow the tree canopy in our city which is so important. Now not only do we plant trees but Columbia Green does many other things to help with city beautification. We help with landscaping and planting at churches, public buildings, schools, and helping neighborhoods to beautify their area so that is all going to continue for the foreseeable future with your support. I'd like to say thank you so much to the City's Parks and Rec Division and to the Forestry and Beautification Division. Without them we could not do what we have done in this city to beautify it and we really give them so much thanks and a big round of applause y'all. 35 years Columbia Green has helped this great city in the Midlands of South Carolina put out the welcome mat to visitors to this incredible region of birth in 1786 as our state capital and the work has just been amazing. We talked over 10 years ago started as a campaign promise recognizing not just the incredible ecological benefits of trees but certainly as we experience global warming and understanding with a beautiful silvin canopy means to cooling this community and making us all I believe appreciate the public realm so much more. We started talking about the vision of planting 10,000 trees planting 10,000 trees and it being representative of the entire community making it happen. Wonderful nonprofits and volunteers are city corporate are wonderful staff that that helps with forestry and beautification every single day. We this work would radiate in our community parks, our medians, gateways and our neighborhoods with the playing of flowers and shrubs and trees that delight the eye and lift the spirit. Columbia Green is most recognized for the landscape medians throughout our great city. In addition, money is raised and granted the civic nonprofit and the neighborhood associations to underwrite projects that re flourish revive and enhance public spaces with renewed landscaping. In 2011 together, Columbia Green and the City of Columbia announced an ambitious goal of planting 5000 trees in a city. I think back then in 10 years, eventually reaching 10,000 trees and and being fully transparent. I think there's some discussion that we will in that past 10,000 trees, but you gotta talk about 10,000 10,000 trees. These trends would bring beauty and life to our community by increasing shade and proving air and water quality, providing homes for wildlife and reducing our overall carbon footprint. Today's tree is being planted in honor of the 10,000 trees program. And obviously there's a celebratory year for Columbia Green recognizing that 35th anniversary. So if you indulge me for a minute and a half, I'm gonna I'm gonna actually read the proclamation because I think this moment is worthy of it. Whereas Columbia Green was founded in 1904 to improve Columbia's neighborhoods during enhancing the tree canopy, local gardens, parks and other public sites. Whereas Columbia Green is celebrating its 35th anniversary of providing plants, knowledge and labor to groups in fulfillment of its original motto, strong neighborhoods through gardening, which has evolved to take on more significant projects throughout the city. And whereas Columbia Green works closely with the City of Columbia to help support to help fund the plants and planting of the street and gateway medians to keep them attractive and welcoming throughout the year. And whereas Columbia Green has partnered with the City of Columbia and a successful initiative to see that over 10,000 trees are planted in the city of gold, which has now been exceeded. And whereas Columbia Green has provided significant funding to over 100 neighborhood associations and other local groups and institutions to help them obtain and install environmentally appropriate plant materials and thereby improve the appearance and ecology of the city. And whereas the City of Columbia is grateful for the hard work done by Columbia Green to make this a world class city and fully supports all future initiatives and further embracing our city's true beauty. Now, therefore, I, Stephen K. Benjamin, Mayor of the City of Columbia, do hereby proclaim November 7, 2019 to be Columbia Green Day in the great City of Columbia and urge our fellow citizens to recognize and participate in its observance. Hey there, Mayor Steve Benjamin here. Thanks for watching this video. Make sure you give it a like right below the video. And don't forget to subscribe. Also, while you're here, be sure to check out one of our other videos or follow on our social media platforms. Thanks again. And remember, we are Columbia.