Arbor Day in Olympia proclaimed for Saturday, October 8

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Olympia is inviting community members to participate in planting new trees as the city celebrates Arbor Day at Squaxin Park on Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Olympia City Council that day as Arbor Day at its meeting this past Tuesday and encouraged the community to support a healthy forest for future generations by preserving and planting trees.

"The urban forest provides a multitude of environmental and public health benefits such as cleaner air and water, battling the effects of climate change, reducing flooding and soil erosion, minimizing the urban heat island effect, improving mental health, and providing habitat for wildlife," stated the proclamation.

Olympia, which has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for 29 years, underscored that trees in the city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, beautify neighborhoods, and identify characteristics of the Pacific Northwest landscape.

Kym Foley, an Environmental Habitat planner at Public Works Water Resources Department, said they prepared activities for people who will join the event:

  • Kids activities
  • Tree pruning demonstration
  • Ask-an-arborist booth
  • Native plant giveaway
  • Community-based resources
  • Ceremonial tree planting
  • Jay Butts "Friends of Trees" Award recognition

The first Arbor Day was observed in 1872 when the Nebraska Board of Agriculture established a special day to be set aside for planting trees. Most of the world observes Arbor Day on the last Friday of April each year.

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