Several activities around Northern Nevada are planned Friday and Saturday to mark the 147th annual Arbor Day, an event with deep roots in the western United States. Arbor Day began in 1872 in Nebraska. J. Sterling Morton had moved from Michigan to the Nebraska territory in 1854 and noticed it lacked trees. Morton promoted planting trees in hopes of improving the environment and making it more attractive to potential settlers.
An Arbor Day Foundation Program, four standards are necessary for Tree City USA designation: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of $2 per capita or more, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Reno has been a Tree City USA for 37 years, Sparks for 25 years and Incline Village for 10 years, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.
The following Arbor Day-related events are scheduled:
- The University of Nevada, Reno has scheduled a celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 outside the Joe Crowley Student Union.
- Reno holds a tree-planting event at 11 a.m. April 26 at Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive. A separate tree planting and garden tour is also scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the May Arboretum at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St.
- Sparks hosts a tree planting from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. April 26 at Sepulveda Elementary School, 5075 Ion Drive.
- Carson City Parks, Recreation & open Space holds tree-planting ceremony and educational activities that focus on the importance of trees from 4 to 5:30 p.m. April 26 at Mills Park, 1111 E. William St. The event also marks the 25th year of Carson City being a Tree City USA.
- Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful holds a tree planting from 8 to 10 a.m. April 27 at Silver Lake State Park, 8800 Red Baron Blvd., Reno.
- The Little Valley Jeffrey pine planting is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon April 27. The Sugar Pine Foundation, UNR students and other participants plan to meet at Bowers Mansion Regional Park, 4005 Bowers Mansion Road in Washoe Valley, and plant at the fire scar above Washoe Lake. Call 650-814-9565 for more information.
ON THE WEB
Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA program: https://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/about.cfm
Nevada Shade Tree Council: https://nevadashadetrees.org
CORRECTION: The City of Reno event is at 11 am, not 10 am as originally listed.
