WQBQ Talk Track: Arbor Day, Trees, and a Greener Future for Mount Dora

WQBQ Talk Track: Arbor Day, Trees, and a Greener Future for Mount Dora

On a recent episode of WQBQ’s The Chamber, The Q, and You, the Mount Dora Area Chamber welcomed a group of guests focused on one thing: helping Mount Dora grow greener, healthier, and more connected through this year’s Arbor Day Celebration.

Representing the conversation were Marc Vaughn, President of Mount Dora Friends of the Environment; Dana Rocca, owner of Walk in the Woods; Taylor Long, ambassador for the Tentree Sequoia program; and Cooper Reis, Tentree’s Wholesale Director, who called in from Vancouver to join the conversation—giving the segment an international touch.

Arbor Day in Mount Dora

The focus of the segment was the City of Mount Dora’s Arbor Day Celebration, taking place Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sunset Park, located at 230 West 4th Avenue. The event is designed as a family-friendly celebration featuring free trees, environmental exhibits, and activities centered on sustainability and urban forestry.

Marc Vaughn spoke about the importance of restoring and renewing Mount Dora’s tree canopy—work that sits at the heart of Mount Dora Friends of the Environment’s mission. The all-volunteer nonprofit partners with the City’s Urban Forestry Department to plant, water, and care for trees throughout the community, with the goal of preserving Mount Dora’s natural beauty for future generations.

A major highlight of this year’s Arbor Day event is the tree giveaway. As discussed on-air, more than 250 trees will be given away as part of the celebration, supporting the broader mission of expanding the city’s urban canopy and encouraging residents to take part in the long-term health and beauty of Mount Dora. The Chamber’s major events page notes that attendees can expect free trees in more than 15 different species, including seedlings and larger container trees.

Local Partnership Behind the Event

The segment also highlighted the role local businesses and partners are playing in bringing the event to life. Dana Rocca shared that Walk in the Woods and Tentree are co-sponsoring the event, reinforcing how sustainability, community involvement, and local business support can come together in a meaningful way.

Taylor Long joined the conversation as ambassador for the Tentree Sequoia program, which selected Mount Dora as part of its efforts to support tree planting and environmental stewardship. Cooper Reis of Tentree also joined by phone from Vancouver, adding another layer to the discussion around how local action can connect to a broader environmental mission.

Why It Matters

Mount Dora Friends of the Environment describes its work as a commitment to restoring the city’s tree canopy and enhancing the beauty, health, and sustainability of the community. Over the last 30 years, the organization says it has helped sponsor the planting of 900 trees in Mount Dora, replacing trees lost to age, storms, and disease.

That bigger picture came through clearly during the radio segment. Arbor Day is not just about one event—it is about investing in the look, feel, and long-term resilience of Mount Dora.

A Quick Chamber Plug: Mount Dora Taste

The conversation also included a plug for one of the Chamber’s signature upcoming events: the 25th Annual Mount Dora Taste, happening Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Sunset Park. The event brings together local restaurants, food vendors, live music, and hundreds of guests for an evening celebrating Mount Dora’s culinary scene.

For those who love seeing the community come together—whether around sustainability or great local food—it is shaping up to be a busy and exciting stretch in Mount Dora.