Thonotosassa

Planting plan blends forestry, genealogy

DAR members will dedicate a tree-planting project in remembrance of their ancestors.

By JAY CRIDLIN
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 21, 2003

Sally Miller has always loved her roots.

Now, she'll get to watch them grow.

Over the next four years, Miller and more than 120 other members of the Florida State Society Daughters of the American Revolution will plant 8,000 trees and plants in Hillsborough River State Park in remembrance of their ancestors.

The DAR will dedicate the 62-acre "Millennium Forest" at a ceremony Saturday in Thonotosassa.

The project was organized by Miller, chairwoman for environmental conservation and volunteer genealogist for the state DAR.

"It's a combination conservation project and genealogy project," she said.

Up to 150 people may come out for the event, including many from the DAR's 82-member Alafia River Chapter, which serves Brandon.

"Most of us are just honored at any time to be able to say, 'Yes, I have a patriot who fought for this country originally, who gave of his life and of his worldly goods to see that we established a country based on freedom,' " said Linda Soloski, registrar for the Alafia River Chapter.

This isn't the DAR's first foray into forestry.

Decades ago, the organization was a strong proponent of "penny pines" programs, wherein sponsors paid a penny to plant a tree.

One penny pines forest was planted in 1940 at Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 U.S. 301 N. The trees didn't survive, but a marker still stands commemorating the project.

In 2001, Miller approached the park about starting another forest. Coincidentally, state park operators had been considering a replanting of many of Florida's native trees, such as longleaf pines, saw palmettos and wiregrass.

The DAR agreed to foot the bill if the park would help choose and properly plant the trees.

"This is very exciting for us because of the history tie," said Kim Tennille, park services specialist at Hillsborough River. "This group of women is so phenomenal. I'm amazed at their energy and how vested they've become."

About 60 trees will be planted Saturday, and the DAR will add about 2,000 trees a year until 2006. Some already have been planted.

Miller, who also is regent for the Echebucsassa Chapter of DAR, said the organization is staggering the tree planting to make sure more survive.

"You don't want to put everything in at one time, because if anything should happen -- if you have a severe drought or something -- you're just going to wipe the entire group out," she said.

The project's $1,500 tab is being covered by DAR members who pay $5 to sponsor a tree by writing a 35-word mini-essay about an ancestor who fought in or contributed to the Revolutionary War.

Soloski has written four essays for the project.

"I was very honored to be able to put my four people in, because I feel that it's a very important thing that they did for us, not even knowing or realizing what this country might become," she said.

Tennille said she hoped the DAR forest could lead to the park's involvement with other community organizations.

"I'm so glad that they came to us and wanted to develop something," she said. "State parks are always looking for partners like that, because there are so many vegetary constraints, it's hard to accomplish all of the needs. This is one of the ways that we can accomplish some of those needs."

-- Jay Cridlin can be reached at 661-2442 or cridlin@sptimes.com .