Students and teachers alike at Temple Terrace Elementary got a lesson in Tampa Electric’s commitment to the community as TECO team members and partners planted trees at the school for National Arbor Day.
The event, on April 25, followed tree planting in neighborhoods surrounding the school that morning. Like last year, employees from Davey Tree Expert Company and public officials from the city of Temple Terrace joined TECO in the effort.
“As far as nurturing a strong, positive connection with the community, it doesn’t get much better than using our expertise, and that of the Davey, to enrich the area with appropriate trees that we plant,” said John Webster, supervisor of Right-of-Way maintenance with Tampa Electric’s Line Clearance team.
At Temple Terrace Elementary, the tree-planting group added a live oak to school grounds in honor of a former student who recently died. The tree shares a nickname, “Bear,” with that of Barrett Townsend, who attended the school in the 1990s.
“All of us who knew Bear – and even those who didn’t – can come here, see this beautiful tree, and think of happy memories of his childhood here,” said Lynn Smalley, a second grade teacher who taught Bear when he was at the school.
Temple Terrace City Councilmember Grant Rimbey said the event showcased the ongoing strong relationship between Temple Terrace and TECO.
“Planting events like today’s fit right in with the city’s direction,” Rimbey said. “As a Tree City USA, Temple Terrance prides itself on being green, and we have a good partner in TECO, a Tree Line USA utility.”
Webster said his team plans to hold more tree-planting events in the community later this year.
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