FOLEY – Foley is Alabama’s 2025 Arbor Day City following a declaration by Gov. Kay Ivey.

The governor commended the city for its leadership in urban forestry, particularly, noting that Foley has verified its Urban Forestry program with the Alabama Urban Forestry Association. Ivey encouraged other Alabama communities to follow Foley’s example by planning, planting, managing  and celebrating their urban forest resources. 

“I am proud to recognize Foley as Alabama’s 2025 Arbor Day City because of the great  example it has set when it comes to utilizing our God-given natural resources to enhance  both quality of life and economic growth,” Ivey said. “I encourage Alabamians to follow their lead by  taking care of our trees and terrain so that ‘Alabama the Beautiful’ remains just that for  generations to come.” 

Foley has been a Tree City USA for 44 years in recognition of the city’s efforts to encourage the planting of trees and to educate residents on the importance of trees to the environment and community.

In her proclamation, Ivey also emphasized the vital role trees play in enhancing the  quality of life for all of Alabama’s citizens. She said Alabama celebrates Arbor Week during the last full week of February, a time when communities  across the state are encouraged to recognize the importance of trees in urban settings. 

Foley’s Arbor Day celebration will be Saturday at the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market at 781 Farmers Market Way. The event begins at 1 p.m.

The city will distribute 675 trees in 3-gallon containers to the public. Varieties of trees being given away include bald cypress, Nellie R. Stevens holly, willow oak, live oak, summer red maple, green giant arborvitae, Carolina sapphire and Japanese cedar. 

During the event, the city will dedicate three trees to be planted as memorials to local citizens who contributed to the community. 

“The city will be dedicating live oak trees and a southern magnolia to three very special people who loved Foley and made our city a better place because of the time that they spent here,” Mayor Ralph Hellmich said.

Foley also donated books on trees to local school libraries and the Foley Public Library.

The Foley City Council donated books to the libraries at Foley Elementary, Mathis Elementary, Magnolia Elementary, Swift, Foley Middle and Foley High schools. The city also donated books to the Foley Public Library.

Each year, the city provides new books on trees to area libraries as part of the annual Arbor Day celebration. 

As part of Arbor Day, the city will also donate a tree in 15-gallon containers to be planted at each school.

During this year’s annual commemoration, trees will be presented in memory of former Mayor John Koniar, former City Administrator A. Perry Wilbourne and F.A. “Skip” Davis, a former City Council member and area business owner. All three men died in 2024.

“These three individuals have always served the city of Foley as administrators, mayors and City Council members, and so we think that this is a great way to honor our folks,” Hellmich said. 

The Alabama Forestry Commission, Baldwin County Master Gardeners, Riviera Utilities and certified arborists will also take part in the event.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 77 will help distribute trees.

The winning posters from the Arbor Day Poster Contest will be on display. The Foley High School Air Force Junior ROTC will do the presentation of colors. 

The AUFA, a statewide organization dedicated to helping people and trees coexist in harmony, was also highlighted in the proclamation. As  the primary resource for training urban forestry volunteers and professionals across  Alabama, the AUFA serves as a clearinghouse for information on trees and community tree  programs. 

For more information on Alabama’s Arbor Week celebrations and urban forestry efforts,  visit the Alabama Urban Forestry Association’s website at www.aufa.com .