Sierra Club donates tree to city of Fairfield

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, the Southeast Iowa Sierra Club donated a tree to the City of Fairfield. A hop-hornbeam, native to southern Iowa, was planted north of the Roosevelt Recreation Center. According to the Iowa DNR, public spaces with more trees result in stronger, healthier communities, and cleaner air and water. Trees also play a vital role in countering climate change. On hand for the planting were (left to right) Claudia Melrose, Mayor Connie Boyer, Councilman Michael Halley, Mary Tarnoff, Steve Taylor, and Carole Simmons. This fall, the Sierra Club group plans to give away a limited number of trees to local residents, and will announce details this summer.