In the beginning…
On a lovely spring day, Ojai Rotarians gathered at the Ojai Valley School’s upper campus to celebrate Arbor Day and to honor Al West. The upper campus of OVS has been beautifully rebuilt after the Thomas fire, and so it is a fitting place to plant trees. Co-President Marty Babayco called the meeting to order and made some remarks:
- he provided some inspiring sayings about the beauty and importance of trees
- he thanked the OVS staff and students for their hospitality
- he remarked that the Ojai Rotary's tradition of planting trees started on Arbor day 23 years ago with the first planting at OVS
It was so nice to see Dr. Fred Fauvre, recovering from a recent illness, was back to attend the event with his daughter and Ojai Rotarian, Renee.
Program: Arbor Day Tree Planting at Ojai Valley School
Marty gave a quick overview of Al West’s life of accomplishments and devotion to forestry. Al and his wife Joyce devoted their professional lives to forest management in California and eventually in Washington DC. Al was the driving force behind RCO’s tradition of Arbor Day celebrations.
In recognition of Al’s contribution, Co-Presidents Marty and Kay presented Al with the very rare Paul Harris +7 pin. Congratulations Al!
Al then gave us a short summary of the history of Arbor Day starting in January of 1872. Arbor day is now celebrated in all 50 states and 40 foreign countries. He regaled us with stories of working with President HW Bush and his wife Barbara to get some legislation passed that eventually resulted in the planting of a billion trees.
After these remarks, the OVS staff and students directed us to the tree planting site. Colin Jones then supervised the planting and mulching of the trees, 2 Live Oaks and 2 Tiguana Tipu. Al looked on in pride that what he started has become such a civic event.
Next Week: Doug Parker
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He is a graduate of Cornell and the Cornell Law School. He served in the White House Counsel’s Office during the Watergate investigations and in the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Ford Administration. For many years, he practiced law in New York City specializing in corporate litigation and alternative dispute resolution. After retiring, He wrote an authorized biography Ogden Nash: The Life and Work of America’s Laureate of Light Verse. He and his wife now live in Ojai, California.
Marty’s life hack:
“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now”.
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