A&N Electric Cooperative hosted more than 450 people during the annual Arbor Day seedling giveaway and Member Appreciation Day event earlier this month at its Tasley headquarters on the Virginia Eastern Shore.
The first 250 members received a small gift bag filled with items related to Arbor Day.
ANEC staff were available throughout the event to answer any member questions.
The dual event featured lineworker safety and climbing demonstrations, tree planting demonstrations performed by Asplundh, utility drone demonstrations, large vendor expo, guided building tours, community shred service, hot dog lunch, and a giveaway of free bare-root seedlings and shrubs.
The seedling giveaway is a small portion of the ANEC’s right-of-way program, which has achieved a Tree Line USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation for four consecutive years. The cooperative began combining the popular seedling giveaway with a member appreciation event last year.
Robbie Lewis with the Virginia Department of Forestry presented members of the ANEC Board of Directors with the 2023 Tree Line USA plaque pin during the event.
Tree Line USA, a partnership between the foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities for pursuing practices that protect and enhance America’s urban trees. Tree Line USA promotes the dual goals of delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community forests.
–Report by Jay Diem, Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, A&N Electric Cooperative