AEC Celebrates Arbor Day with 18th Straight “Tree Line USA Utility” Certification

Kim Mcghee, AEC; James Gallup, Jefferson City Manager; James Morgan (co-op employee and volunteer Urban Forester for Jefferson City) Diane Warwick (behind tree /TN Forestry) and Jefferson City Public Works employees.

Jefferson City, TN, April 28, 2023 – Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC) celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, April 28, 2023, by receiving the “Tree Line USA Utility” certification from the Tennessee Forestry Division for the 18th consecutive year. The certification recognizes AEC’s commitment to maintaining rights-of-way and enacting the very best tree trimming principles.

James Morgan, AEC’s Right-of-way Supervisor, is responsible for the maintenance clearances for over 2,700 miles of electric lines. He stated, “AEC is committed to maintaining our rights-of-way in the safest, most environmentally sustainable way. We owe this to our communities.”

Joe McCarter, AEC’s Vice-President for Engineering and Operations, affirmed the Co-op’s commitment to maintaining the environment. “One of AEC’s largest budget items each year is tree trimming. We spend hours of time in training and education to help our employees and contractors do things the right way. This certification from the National Arbor Day Foundation affirms our commitment.”

AEC’s relationship with the National Arbor Day Foundation extends beyond the Co-op’s own tree maintenance. AEC encourages unique efforts throughout its service area to maintain and improve the tree canopy in its communities. Through a partnership with Jefferson City, the two organizations work to certify Jefferson City as a Tree City USA. For seven consecutive years, the City has boasted its recognition as one of 45 municipalities in Tennessee to be recognized.

The City maintains four core values of tree care: (1) The municipality must maintain a Tree Care Ordinance (2) the Municipality must seat an active Tree Board, (3) the Municipality must allocate at least $2 per citizen towards tree programs, and (4) the Municipality must observe an official Arbor Day celebration. Working with AEC, the City of Jefferson City has achieved all of these goals.

The Jefferson City Tree Board is seated with five AEC members and Co-op employee, James Morgan, volunteers his time to serve as Jefferson City’s Urban Forester. Jefferson City celebrated Arbor Day with a public tree planting event. A Redbud tree was planted at the City Water Plant on Hwy 11-E.

Another partnership with AEC connects the Co-op with Mt. Horeb Elementary School. Through the study of earth sciences with all 5th grade students at the school, AEC is able to share the history of Arbor Day and provide “hands-on” experiences in tree planting. AEC has formed a “Tree Team” at Mt. Horeb who guide and encourage study about trees and our environment. The Co-op was able to host an assembly at the school and plant four trees on the campus. These efforts culminate with Mt. Horeb being named the 70th Tree Campus K-12 school in the USA and the only designated campus in the state of Tennessee.

AEC Director of Member Services, Mitch Cain stated, “Helping our students learn about their environment and how to be good stewards is one of the most important opportunities we have. Safety and education are the seeds of growing involved and influential adult Co-op members.” AEC is committed to helping schools, communities, and its members enjoy the environmental and scenic benefits of trees across its beautiful part of East Tennessee.