On June 8, 2024, members of Keep Wakulla County Beautiful (KWCB) and Sheriff Jared Miller gathered in Azalea Park to plant eight new fruit trees, marking a significant step towards enhancing the local environment and community well-being. The planting included four fig trees and four persimmon trees, carefully chosen for their fruit-bearing potential and positive impact on local pollinators.
Three of the newly planted trees were sponsored by community members. Sheriff Jared Miller sponsored one tree, Colin Irons sponsored another in memory of his mother, Naoma Ruth Irons, and Kathleen Butler sponsored a tree in memory of her husband, Wilber Butler, and son, Owen Butler. These sponsorships not only honor loved ones but also contribute to the community’s food resources and ecological health.
The KWCB tree planting initiative aims to increase the tree population in Wakulla County parks, provide fresh fruit for residents to help alleviate food insecurity, and support pollinator populations. The organization plans to plant additional trees in Azalea Park once all eight current trees have sponsors. Future plantings will expand to other parks within the county.
Each tree sponsorship is $500, which covers the cost and care of the tree, supports other KWCB projects, and includes an engraved brick monument. Additionally, each tree will have a marker with a QR code that links to a dedicated page. This page can include a personal message from the sponsor, information about the tree, and links to recipes and fun facts related to the fruit.