Arbor Day celebrated in Setauket

As her mind wondered while driving, Susan Krause thought about all the trees that were cut down and how to honor the ones that still stand.

Krause, the 56-year-old president of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, made sure that her daydream wasn’t for naught.

On Saturday, Krause threw her first tree party at Frank Melville Memorial Park in Setauket.

“Today’s event is to celebrate all things trees, what they do for us, and what they give us and all the ways we can help them. And hopefully, we will get people to plant trees,” said Krause of St. James.

The event combined education and celebration.

Suzanne Grasso, environmental educator at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown, did a presentation showing off birds of prey.

“By having these birds here we not only get to educate children but adults about those birds and their part in Mother Nature,” Grasso said.

She talked about how so many animals rely on different trees, including dead ones.

“I think it’s great, and I like this tree lady,” said 38-year-old Kimberly Keany of Port Jefferson.

Keany added that the event inspired her to plant a tree at home which is exactly the kind of thing Krause likes to hear.

“Please plant trees, please keep up trees -- even your dead trees,” Krause said. “We wouldn’t be here without trees.”

Pictured above: Michele Krause, 41, of Huntington, who is dressed as a tree, explains the importance of trees at the Four Harbors Audubon Society Tree Party. (April 30, 2011)