All invited to Arbor Day celebration

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook's Save Our Forest is set to welcome California Arbor Day March 9, at 10 a.m., with a rededication to urban forestry and a gathering with short presentations, refreshments, and a special recognition of "The Tree Man Of Fallbrook,” Roger Boddaert.

By way of SOF's chairperson Jackie Heyneman, the public is invited to gather at the new and improved pocket park just west of The Wellness Spa on Alvarado off Main for a brief rededication to Fallbrook trees and a shady walkable downtown. Boddaert is giving away complimentary “air plants” one per person.

Additional redbud trees and landscaping is being provided to befriend the stalwart oak which has been planted many years before. This little spot and the unique "Boddaert Bench" will offer another shady respite for shoppers, residents, merchants and visitors alike.

Everyone can participate in a contest to name the two trees March 9; the most creative and appropriate names for each tree will win with tree names and contest winners recognized in a news article about this event.

Since the early 1970s names such as Heyneman and Boddaert have become synonymous with tree-lined streets, shady respites, green walkways right here in town when a movement was started which became the "Live Oak Park Coalition" and “The Fallbrook Treescape Project.”

As a committee of Fallbrook Land Conservancy, SOF also supports environmental education through direct service in the classroom, restoration youth plantings in Los Jilgueros Natural Preserves and other locations. Young people are an instrumental part of the work to be done to preserve our trees and open lands.

Boddaert has written an arborist column for the Village Newspaper for countless years offering people practical advice for selecting plants right for their landscape, education about natural treatment of pests, and the graying of local forests. He has been honored by countless organizations, government leaders and satisfied natural and permaculture gardeners alike.

Heyneman said, “This Arbor Day 2019, Save Our Forest is proud to honor Roger Boddaert with a special bench that will be placed in the near future. He was instrumental in protecting ancient oaks while building Fallbrook’s Community Forest Fallbrook’s community forest in open spaces, in downtown, all enhancing the community while offsetting the pollutants that people create. It has made a real difference.

He has never given up on his quest. His landscape design of the bench site is another gift to the community. "We are also grateful to the owners of the property where the bench is to be place. Thank you to Meternet for granting this use of your property,” said Heyneman.

Boddaert said the real story here is, as Margaret Meade said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Heyneman and Boddaert never forget to thank each and every person committed to this cause.

The gathering is a chance to recognize the entire community of countless everyday citizens, businesses and "tree huggers” who have committed time and resources to maintain Fallbrook’s landscape for future generations to come. Its a opportunity for people to delight in the company of other like-minded folks who are proud to be part of this ongoing collaborative, while helping to prepare to pass the baton to the tree stewards of Fallbrook's future.

Submitted by Save Our Forest.