It is easy to be green! Girl Scouts hold tree dedication in Parkland

     Release Date: 8/30/2007
     Press Contact: Lori Ebinger Sullivan at 954-739-7660, ext. 219
     
     Oakland Park, FL --- Girl Scouts have a home in Parkland; a 13-acre campsite called Camp Telogia. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma blew through our camp and destroyed 60% of the trees. The damage had a deep effect on our girls who were unable to camp there for over six months. The tents finally went back up, but the magical backdrop of the tree canopy was gone. This canopy, together with native plantings and landscaping, had allowed girls to experience a rustic camping experience while being just minutes from home.
     
     But Girl Scouts give back, not only to our community, but also to Mother Earth. A volunteer Camp Telogia Revitalization Committee was formed and together with our girls decided to “dig in” and bring the green back to Camp. On National Arbor Day in April, the committee launched the “Trees for Telogia” campaign. The campaign invited Girl Scouts and our Parkland neighbors to “sponsor” a new 12-ft. Sabal Palm tree to be planted at Camp Telogia. The goal was 50 new trees and ultimately the campaign secured 70 new trees.
     
     While water restrictions slowed the progress, a local nursery will now professionally plant the Sabal Palms and ensure that they continue to grow and flourish. On Saturday, September 15, Girl Scouts will host a tree dedication ceremony, from 8 – 9:30 a.m. at Camp Telogia, complete with flag ceremony, donor recognition and patch presentation for girl members who sponsored trees. Also included in the event is a tree planting workshop hosted by Ranger Mark Tovok from the Florida Division of Forestry.
     
     Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Locally, Girl Scouts of Broward County serves more than 8,000 girls and 4,000 adult volunteers annually. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Broward County, including adult volunteering opportunities and girl registration, contact Lori Ebinger Sullivan, Vice President of Marketing at 954-739-7660; ext. 219 or lsullivan@browardgirlscouts.org or please visit www.browardgirlscouts.org.
     
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