What: An Arbor Day Celebration and Indy Free Tree site with community singing!

Where: Garfield Park, The Pagoda (2345 Pagoda Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46203)

When: April 28, 2023, 4-7 pm, singing started at 6 pm

Who: YOU! Everyone was welcome to come join in learning and singing Reciprocity a chant for tree-loving people with Songleader Pam Blevins Hinkle, Song Squad Indianapolis and the Indiana Forest Alliance for an unforgettable experience.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The sounds of Spring in Indianapolis’ Garfield Park included a melody and promoted harmony with, and in, Indy’s urban forests on Arbor Day. The Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA) and Song Squad Indianapolis came together to host an Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 28, 2023 from 4 to 7 pm on the city’s south side. 

Singing for Reciprocity will featured a community song led by Pam Blevins Hinkle, co-founder of Song Squad Indianapolis, who taught her original composition, “Reciprocity”, in her innovative and engaging call and response format. Everyone joined in and sang together. No musical or choral experience was necessary. Hinkle has previously led groups of 300-700 participants to sing, as an on-the-spot choir, at multiple local events. 

The event included an Indy Free Tree giveaway event in cooperation with Indy Parks and the Department of Public Works. This free community arts gathering promoted forest preservation in the city through IFA’s Forests For Indy campaign as well as participated in annual National Arbor Day Foundation reforestation efforts in Indianapolis.

The community was invited to join in this celebration of trees at the Pagoda Shelter in Garfield Park (near 2345 Pagoda Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46203) where participants learned about and picked up a free tree seedling. The trees, of a Swamp white oak species this year, are native to Indiana and were provided by corporate partner, AES.  

Sing for the Trees was a family-friendly event open to all ages and proved to be a fun, inclusive community arts event unlike any other. With all voices welcome, participants sang and celebrated Arbor Day among Garfield Park’s mature trees, and took home a new tree to plant in their own yards.

The Indy Free Tree event ran from 4-7 pm with singing starting at 6 pm. Singers gathered at the Pagoda Shelter before 6 pm where singing began promptly at 6 pm. 

For more information, questions or to find out how you, your school, church or community choir can participate at future events, contact:

Lori Perdue
Outreach Coordinator, Forests For Indy
Indiana Forest Alliance
AmeriCorps Public Ally
lori@indianaforestalliance.org

Cell: 317-902-8221

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About Indiana Forest Alliance

The Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA), founded in 1996, is a non-profit, statewide organization dedicated to the long-term health and well-being of Indiana’s native forests. IFA is a network of staff and volunteers committed to the protecting and restoring Indiana’s forests. IFA serves citizens, organizations, landowners, and communities with a wide range of interests in Indiana’s forests. We provide accurate information to the people of Indiana to involve them in efforts to protect Indiana’s forests and ensure their opportunities for input into decision-making that affects forests. We speak for the native animals, plants, and other creatures who depend on Indiana’s forests and cannot speak for themselves. Learn more at indianaforestalliance.org.