ASHCROFT BOLSTERS BRANCH OUT PROGRAM

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft came to Cape Girardeau Friday afternoon promoting his Branch Out Missouri program that resulted in the planting of 1.3 million trees in urban areas during the past year.

Ashcroft explained that one year ago on Arbor Day 1990, he had challenged Missourians to plant one million trees in urban areas before Arbor Day 1991.

"I'm pleased to report that we not only reached our goal, but surpassed it by several hundred thousand trees," declared the governor.

Ashcroft, assisted by Boy Scouts from Troop 10, sponsored by First Baptist Church, planted a Purple Leaf Plum tree near the Broadway entrance to Capaha Park.

The governor was joined by Department of Conservation Director Wayne Presley, Missouri Highway and Transportation Department Chief Engineer Wayne Muri, Bill Lee of the Missouri Bankers Association and Jack Mullin of the Rotary Clubs. Those groups are assisting with the Branch Out Missouri program and have pledged to continue promoting tree planting in the state.

Ashcroft participated in tree planting ceremonies Friday in Jefferson City, Springfield and St. Louis, as well as locally.

"Due to the success of Branch Out Missouri and the never-ending necessity of trees in our state, I'm delighted to announce that Arbor Day does not end our tree-planting program," Ashcroft said. "Rather, it begins an ongoing effort to plant even more trees to help insure a cleaner, greener future."

Ashcroft termed the successful project as a "recognition of the past by a commitment to the future," by Missourians who realize planting trees helps insure a cleaner, healthier future.

"Trees provide an abundance of environmental and economic benefits for our state and nation," said Ashcroft. "Trees are purifiers, filtering dust and pollution from the air in exchange for life-giving oxygen. Trees are energy savers, reducing cooling costs and utility bills by as much as 50 percent. Trees in Missouri's forests are a vital part of the life cycle for 731 species of wildlife."

During the past year, the governor noted that 130,000 seedlings had been distributed by the Department of Conservation's 1990 Arbor Day program; 641,000 trees were disturbed to urban counties by the Department of Conservation; 273,000 seedlings were planted along urban roadways by the state highway department; more than 50,000 trees were distributed by the Department of Natural Resources' Paper to Trees Program; 175,000 trees were planted by the bankers association in honor of its 100th anniversary; and more than 54,500 trees were planted by communities.

Ashcroft also praised the decision on Thursday by the highway commission to replace any tree more than 6 inches in diameter it cuts down with two more. Inmates from the Department of Corrections will assist with the project and 15,000 new trees should be planted next year.

"No longer will highway construction mean less trees," said Muri. "It will mean more trees."

Muri also praised efforts by citizens in Cape Girardeau to plant more than 1,000 rose bushes on highway right of way.

Presley explained that a recent forest survey in Missouri showed that the state has over one million new acres of forest cover. "Our forests in Missouri are in good shape and I pledge the conservation department will do everything we can to preserve the forest resources of Missouri," said Presley.

He noted that citizens are very interested in preserving trees because 85 percent of the forest land in Missouri is privately owned.

Lee said the Missouri Bankers Association chose the tree project because it wanted to make a lasting contribution to the state.

Missouri Rotary International is supporting Branch Out Missouri with a $100,000 fundraising project to fund tree planting projects in the state.

Mullin noted that all area Rotary Clubs have been actively working on this project.