In May, Branford Selectman James Cosgrove and the Town of Branford formally recognized the 13th annual Endangered Species Day and took action to protect threatened species and preserve biodiversity by planting a Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha) on Branford’s Town Green. The Franklyn tree — America’s first rare tree – was discovered in 1765 by legendary botanist and plantsman John Bartram and his son William, and named in honor of their good friend, Ben Franklin. The tree is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, and it’s so rare, that it’s extinct in the wild.

Attorney David Minicozzi, Chairman of the Branford Green Committee, attended the ceremony along with representatives from the Town of Branford, the Community Forest Commission, and Branford’s Inland Wetlands and Natural Resource Commission.

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Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound/Zip06.com.