Mary Ann Wordell, Director of the Fall River Street Tree Planting Program was honored on April 29, 2014 with the dedication of the City's new Tree Farm in her name. As president of the Program for the past eighteen years, Wordell has championed the cause of planting and maintaining the City's inventory of trees and has helped to raise thousands of dollars to do so. In addition, she has motivated dozens of individuals to join her and arranged for numerous training events for those willing to become volunteer tree stewards. Mary Ann learned her love of trees from her father and has maintained that interest all her life. Since her retirement as a nurse at Charlton Hospital, she has devoted nearly all of her free time to helping the City. "I love her passion, her tenacity and her dedication," commented Mayor William Flanagan before he revealed the new sign dedicating the farm to her. Located at the South end of Bay Street on City property, the farm will help to constantly grow trees that can be used for new plantings or replacement of trees throughout the City. A recent grant from the US Forest Service will provide free trees to residents of the Maplewood and Sandy Beach Neighborhoods. A grant from the EPA will also provide tree plantings as part of a $56,000 grant to handle storm water run-off. Click here for the Herald News article. Click here for the 2013 Arbor Day Tree Planting when the Mayor announced that the Tree Farm would be named for Ms. Wordell. For more information about the Street Tree Planting program, contact Mary Ann Wordell at 508-679-8887. (Top row photos courtesy of Ralph Rho)

(Top row) Mayor William Flanagan praises Fall River Street Tree Planting Program coordinator Mary Ann Wordell for her work over the past 18 years before revealing the sign in her honor. (Row two) Ms. Wordell is interviewed by Jo Goode of the Fall River Herald News after posing for some photos with her family, including daughter, Kristin, son-in-law Terry Martins and grandchildren Ben, Brennan Martins, Sophia, Sierra, and Nicholas Rezendes. (Row three) Fall River Mass In Motion Coordinator Julianne Kelly talks with Trustees of Reservations Education Director Linton Harrington, Fall River Water Department Forester Michael Laboissiere and .Emily Hamilton of the Davey Resource Group. (Bottom row) Ms. Goode talks with City Councilor Ray Mitchell outside of the tree plantings and newly purchased tress that will be planted in the Maplewood and Sandy Beach Neighborhoods.