City of Mesa, Arizona - Official Web Site

Development and Sustainability
For Release: April 16, 2012
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Public Information & Communications Specialist
480-644-4699 Tel
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov

The City of Mesa will join in the national celebration of Arbor Day on Friday, April 27 by planting trees in local parks and celebrating the City’s commitment to tree care and planting programs.

Mayor Scott Smith will sign an Arbor Day Proclamation Monday, April 23 at the City Council meeting, which begins at 5:45 p.m. at the Upper Level Council Chambers, 57 E. 1^st St. Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April and was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 to encourage tree planting and care.

“Arbor Day promotes how trees in Mesa help clean the air, conserve soil and water and reduce heating and cooling costs by moderating temperatures,” Development and Sustainability Director Christine Zielonka said. “Celebrating Arbor Day shows our community values trees not only for their beauty but for their numerous health and environmental benefits as well.”

The City will conduct tree plantings at Palo Verde Park, 3135 S. Dobson Road, and at Falcon Hill Park, 7222 E. Jensen St. Volunteers will also read “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss to third grade classes at select Mesa Public Schools. “The Lorax” was originally published in 1971 and chronicles the plight of the Lorax who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler. It has become a popular metaphor for those concerned about the human impact on the environment.

Mesa has also been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation for the second consecutive year to honor its commitment to community forestry. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

For more information on Arbor Day and tree care resources, visit www.mesaaz.gov/sustainability or call (480) 644-3306.

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