California Arbor Week is celebrated throughout the state and in Oakley March 7-14, 2017 to highlight the importance of trees to communities and the world.
This past Tuesday, Brownie Troop 30965, Councilmembers Alaura and Hardcastle along with Mayor Higgins and Vice Mayor Pope gathered at Oakley’s Crockett Park to plant several trees and learn about the importance of trees and tree care.
Typically, National Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April; however, a number of states honor Arbor Day at other times in the spring season to coincide with prime tree planting periods.
California’s Arbor Day is celebrated on March 7th, in honor of famed horticulturist Luther Burbanks’ birthday – and because this date is typically ideal for planting trees in most areas of California.
Trees are valuable and needed throughout our landscape and environment not only because of their beauty and aesthetic value, and research shows that trees clear pollution from the air, catch significant rainwater, add to property values, cut energy use, increase commercial activity, reduce stress, improve neighborhood safety and enhance recreation opportunities.
“Trees are natural wonders,” said Joe Liszewski, executive director for California ReLeaf, the organization spearheading the California Arbor Week activities. “Trees make California’s
communities better. It’s that simple. Everyone can do their part to plant and care for trees, ensuring that they are a resource long into the future,” Liszewski added.
City Manager Bryan Montgomery said, “I want to take a moment and thank those people in Oakley who work so hard to preserve our trees and landscape.”
The scouts in Brownie Troop 30965 who attended are Madison Dunn, Isabelle Vosburg, Ashlie Parker and Natalie Azevedo. Scout Isabelle Vosburg, “I can’t wait to watch the trees we planned grow when we visit the park!
