If you’d been under the AGL Pavilion in Amerson River Park on a sunny afternoon in late March, you would have heard something a bit…out of place for our area. Nearly a dozen women speaking with heavy British accents were chatting and laughing as they set up a light array of cookies, cakes, and drinks nearly a freshly planted tree. 

The ladies are part of the Winship Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire, a national nonprofit made up of women of Commonwealth of Nations ancestry or birth who share and promote their heritage. They also support local charities and operate senior living facilities across the country.  

In Amerson, they were donating and dedicating a Celebration Red Maple in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. It was planted by a crew from Macon-Bibb’s Parks & Beautification Department. 

“The donation of our tree is part of a lasting legacy,” said Anne Sanders, Winship Chapter Regent. “The environment was one of [the Queen’s] passions; she cared deeply for the land.” 

The tree and celebration were part of a program the Queen began to in October 2021 called The Green Canopy. She asked people to plant a tree ahead of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. After she passed away, His Majesty the King extended The Queen’s Green Canopy until the end of March 2023 so people could plan trees in her honor.