FOLEY, Ala. — For the 29th year, Arbor Day festivities will be held in Foley but with a twist this time around. The event and ever popular tree giveaway will be moving from the outdoors to the Foley Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Mother Nature’s capricious ways will be taken out of the Arbor Day equation by moving the event from Heritage Park to the Civic Center. The Arbor Day program will begin at 10 a.m.

On hand for the program will be the Foley High School Air Force Junior ROTC. The Tree City USA Award, of which Foley has been the recipient for 29 years, will also be presented.

The national anthem will be sung by Dr. Bill Lawrence and David Horton, the invocation will be given by Aubrey Fuller, and the guest speaker will be Chris Francis.

An official tree planting in connection with Arbor Day will take place with Mayor John Koniar and Carolyne Hollis doing the honors.

Baldwin County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions in connection with the seedling giveaway and Boy Scout Troop 77 will assist in the tree distribution.

Trees or seedlings to be given away Saturday are Bald Cypress, Crape Myrtle, Fringe Tree (Grancy Grey Beard), Live Oak, Longleaf Pine, Red Cedar, Red Maple, Shumard Oak and Southern Crabapple.

Communities such as Foley that earn the Tree City USA recognition must meet four criteria. Each must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and have an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

According to an Arbor Day Foundation news release, each Tree City USA designee also understands that trees promote healthier living by filtering the air through removal of dust and other particles; conserve water and provide “vital habitat for wildlife;” reduce the “heat island” effect caused by pavement and buildings; increase property values by adding beautification and reduce energy use.

“We commend Foley’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation, said in a news release.

“Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

The Arbor Day Foundation’s mission is to inspire people and communities to “plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.”