News

Governor Dalrymple proclaims the state's Arbor Day on behalf of Ann Nicole Nelson

Scott Wagar

05/07/2013

There will be a special ceremony at the Bottineau Winter Park in honor of Ann Nicole Nelson where 14 trees will be planted on May 17, the day Nelson would have been 42 years old if she wouldn’t have lost her life due to a terrorist attack on 9/11.

The North Dakota Forest Service and the Bottineau Winter Park will honor Nelson’s birthday by planting 14 dedicated trees at Annie’s House, the year-round newly built sports facility and adaptive ski lodge for children and adults who are mentally and physically handicapped and for soldiers wounded defending our country.

This past week, Governor Jack Dalrymple, proclaimed May 17, 2013, Arbor Day in the state of North Dakota in honor of Nelson and for the importance of planting trees in the state of North Dakota.

“Ann Nelson of Stanley, who perished in the World Trade Center attacks in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, was a skier who always dreamed of having a house in North Dakota,” stated Governor Dalrymple in his proclamation. “The Bottineau Winter Park was successful in getting grant funds and donations to build Annie’s House.

“Arbor Day is a holiday set aside for planting trees and is an annual tradition in North Dakota. Trees make direct and visible contributions to our quality of life by providing clean air and water, wind protection and erosion control, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, essential wood products and beautiful landscapes,” Dalrymple added.

“Planting trees is a great way to leave a legacy for present and future generations to enjoy.”

The Annie’s House project was started by Jeff Parness of New York Says Thank You, a non-profit organization from New York City who assists communities throughout the nation with projects, which is the organization’s way of saying thank you to the nation for assisting the people of New York after the devastation of the 9/11 attacks.

With New York Says Thank You, the Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau’s EDC, along with individuals and groups from numerous states and countries, Annie’s House was built in September of last year.

The State Forest Service and the Bottineau Winter Park are extending a public invitation to the tree planting ceremony. The event will start at 1 p.m. at Annie’s House.