Two South Baldwin communities celebrated Arbor Day on Saturday.

In both Magnolia Springs and Foley, celebrations heralded nature conservation with free sapplings given away by the Baldwin County Master Gardeners.

Magnolia Springs resident Missy Smith said she got a sampling of everything offered, including live oak.

“You can’t live in Magnolia Springs without having live oaks,” she said.

Making those give-aways possible were Boy Scout Troops 97 in Magnolia Springs and Troop 77 in Foley, along with the Baldwin County Extension Service and Baldwin County Master Gardeners.

“It happens just because of the cooperation involved,” Magnolia Springs Mayor Ken Underwood said at the Magnolia Springs event.

In Foley, it also included Foley’s designation as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation and flag presentation honoring the title from Baldwin County Forester Joey Donnelly.

Foley’s activities also included the dedication of a magnolia tree in the memory of the late Lewis Newlan, who served on the city’s Historical Commission. Foley Mayor John Koniar announced that it will be planted in the city’s new Magnolia Tree Grove at Graham Creek Nature Preserve.

The city’s ceremony also included Schneider Electric’s donation of an oak tree, which will also be planted in the grove. That donation comes with the city’s launch of its Energy Savings Initiative with Schneider Electric.

“We’ve been working with the city of Foley to develop this project,” Todd Smith of Scheider Electric said Saturday.

He explained that upcoming renovations within the municipality will include citywide lighting, HVAC systems and utilities.

“This will save the city $4.2 million,” he said, explaining that the savings will be gleaned from energy savings throughout the lifetime of the improved systems.

Following the dedication ceremony and announcements, Foley residents selected sapplings, talked with gardening experts and painted flower pots at a booth provided by The Home Depot at the city’s 32nd annual Arbor Day celebration.