Duquesne Light Employee Volunteers Emphasize Importance of Tree Care to Students
On Friday, April 28, more than 25 Duquesne Light employee volunteers helped students
at Philip Murray School in Mount Oliver plant trees in honor of Arbor Day, just as
Nebraska City students did to commemorate the first official celebration 121 years ago.
Students in kindergarten through seventh grade participated in a series of outdoor
sessions, during which they learned about tree care and planting, took part in a related
art program, and reviewed the history and significance of Arbor Day and tree
identification. “Tree planting is an effective way to reintroduce young people to the
environment around them,” said Jenny Arkett, Duquesne Light’s manager, Vegetation
Management.
Partnering with Duquesne Light on the event were Conservation Consultants, the Pittsburgh
Shade Tree Commission, Pittsburgh City Schools, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and
the Pittsburgh Public Works’ Forestry Division. Diana Ames, chair, Pittsburgh Shade Tree
Commission, extended a special thanks to Duquesne Light participants. “Jenny brought a
very powerful crew of 25 volunteers who spent the entire day working with some very
energetic and excited kids,” Ames wrote. She also recognized the company for donating
trees for a planting in the Homewood Avenue Garden, along with Duquesne Light’s Bruce
Woods for delivering the trees in time for the event.
Following are some photographs taken during the event:
Duquesne Light employee volunteer Darlene Oblich and students check out worms unearthed while
planting trees during Arbor Day activities.
Volunteers encourage students to rub their hands together to create energy to “help” a
newly planted tree grow.
Students learned how to count the rings on the cross-section of tree trunks at an
exhibit staffed by Duquesne Light volunteers, from, left, Charles Yankel, Tom Bartman
and Harold Winkle.
Colleen Mackin assists participants with an Arbor Day related art program.
A pair of Murray School classmates smile for the camera.
By taking a deep breath, Duquesne Light’s Jenny Arkett and Bruce Woods remind those
attending the Arbor Day celebration of the critical role that trees play in supplying
oxygen to our environment. Arkett and Woods are members of the company’s Vegetation
Management group.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor, who was a guest speaker at the Arbor Day celebration,
enjoys a laugh with Lilly Turner, right, and other company volunteers.
Mayor O’Connor helps a student shovel dirt during planting, as company volunteers, from
left, Andrew Berchin, Diane Cavaliere, Rebecca White and Marion Griffin look on.
