Printer Friendly Version - Branford Observes Endangered Species Day: Rare American Tree Planted on Town Green

Community Forest Commission;s Shirley McCarthy (back to camera), Branford Land Trust's Beth Dock, RTM member Peter Hentschel, Branford Tree Warden Diana Ross, Inland Wetlands & Natural Resources staff David McCarthy (at tree), First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove (center), Green Committee member Laura Noe, and Green Committee chair David Minicozzi gather around the Franklin tree planted on the Town Green May 17, Endangered Species Day.Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

On Friday, May 17, First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove and the Town of Branford held a ceremonial event for Endangered Species Day on Town Hall, where a Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha) was planted on the green to observe the special day. This story has been updated with the following press release from the Town of Branford:

May 22, 2019: On Friday, May 17, 2019, First Selectman James Cosgrove and the Town of Branford formally recognized the 13th annual Endangered Species Day and took action to protect threatened species and preserve biodiversity by planting a Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha) on Branford's Town Green. The Franklyn tree - America's first rare tree – was discovered in 1765 by legendary botanist and plantsman John Bartram and his son William, and named in honor of their good friend, Ben Franklin. The tree is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, and it's so rare, that it's extinct in the wild. The Franklin tree has been said to be the most romantic of any Native American plant species with a very mysterious past. Its flowers are famously large, bloom from July through October, and have very active nectaries that radiate a delightful fragrance and support keystone pollinator species.

The project was spearheaded by Inland Wetlands Staff, David E. McCarthy, and unanimously endorsed by the Town's Environmental Departments, Commissions, and Committees.

"This is an example of the town's commitment to protecting and restoring our natural habitats.

Preserving biodiversity and functioning ecosystems is essential in protecting the health of our environment." – First Selectman James Cosgrove

"Our planet is facing an extinction crisis and we need to act forcibly to protect threatened species. It's not too late for change." – Inland Wetlands & Natural Resources Staff David E. McCarthy

At the event, the Town of Branford recognized that as a result of both action, and inaction, biodiversity across the planet is in a rapid decline. The Town announced its commitment to protecting biodiversity and threatened species by planting and protecting it right here, on Branford's Town Green.

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, and The Town of Branford held ceremonial event for Endangered Species on Friday, May 17th, at Town Hall where a a FranklinTree (Franklinia alatamaha) was planted contribution to Endangered Species Day. Beth Dock, Peter Hentschel(RTM), Diana Ross (Tree Warden, David McCarthy (Inland Wetlands & Natural Resources at Town of Branford), Shirley McCarthy (Community Forest Commission (CFC) and Green Committee (TGC)) First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, Laura Noe Green Committee (TGC), and David Minicozzi Chair Branford Green Committee (TGC) pose for a photo with the newly planted Franklin Tree.Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, and The Town of Branford held ceremonial event for Endangered Species on Friday, May 17th, at Town Hall where a a FranklinTree (Franklinia alatamaha) was planted contribution to Endangered Species Day. David McCarthy Inland Wetlands & Natural Resources at Town of Branford waits for people to gather for the event.Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound