Huntington Beach, California Tree City USA: Tree Society & Volunteers Making HB a Better Place to Live

By Chris MacDonald, The Local News Columnist/Photographer & HB Tree Society Member

The Huntington Beach Tree Society recently worked with volunteers from Pacific Life and Edison High School Kiwin's to clean up and plant native vegetation at Overlook Park, near Seapoint and Garfield in Huntington Beach.

Twenty-five volunteers joyfully labored together to clean up trash, weed out invasive plants, spread mulch and plant native coyote bush and oak trees, so the area overlooking the Oil Fields, Bolsa Chica Wetlands and Pacific Ocean would look more natural.

"It's a really fun way to help the environment and community," said Michele Townsend of Pacific Life, "and It's good exercise!" This was one of 156 events (more than 10,000 volunteer hours) that Pacific Life employees contribute too on their own time every year. "It's wonderful being out in the fresh air working as a team," said Townsend, who was joined by 14 of her co-workers.

Another group, Edison High School Kiwin's, likewise shared in the digging, cutting and mulching. "We love working with the HB Tree Society, helping make our city healthier and a more beautiful place," said enthusiastic senior, Michelle Hwang, who was joined by five other dedicated women students from Kiwin's, a part of HB Kiwanis.

With the help of volunteers, the Tree Society has already planted more than 5,000 trees at Central Park, Meadowlark Golf Course, Gibbs Butterfly Park, along Main Street, in the Urban Forest, Central Park Drive and elsewhere. "Today's volunteers are so full of energy, dedication, hard work and great gardening. We're so thankful for their assistance," said Jean Nagy, HB Tree Society President, who was joined by her longtime helper Ann Anderson. "To make all our projects successful, we rely on the wonderful volunteers from Pacific Life, Kiwin's, Boy Scouts, Boeing and other groups. They're our lifeblood, who make Huntington Beach a better, healthier place, not only for this generation but for the next!"

If you would like to volunteer at an HB Tree Society event or make a donation, go to http://www.HBTrees.org to learn more. You can also call: (562) 760-0733. The Tree Society is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.

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