SE Valley Times

The City of Mesa has designated Friday, April 26 as Arbor Day to celebrate the City's commitment to tree care and planting programs. In honor of the nationally celebrated observance, Mayor John Giles has issued an Arbor Day Proclamation.

“Mesa’s commitment to Arbor Day goes far beyond a proclamation,” said Mayor John Giles. “We’re on a mission to plant one million trees as a lasting gift to future generations, ensuring they inherit a city that is cooler, cleaner and more beautiful.”

In addition to celebrating and promoting the significant role trees play in our urban environments, Arbor Day in Mesa helps bring community awareness to the City’s Trees are Cool Initiative that encourages community members to plant trees as we strive toward the goal of 1,000,000 new trees by 2050. Mesa’s Mayor, City Council, and Departments will also mark Arbor Day by participating in various events throughout Mesa communities.

Mesa Mayor John Giles and councilmembers will read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss to third-grade students at 12 Mesa Public Schools. Students in participating classes will also receive Blue Palo Verde seeds to germinate as part of a planting curriculum.

On May 3, Mesa staff will visit Step Up Schools to talk about the importance of trees and the Trees Are Cool initiative with students in grades K-8, followed by a ceremonial tree planting.

Mesa’s Solid Waste Department will be gifting a Red Push Pistache tree to 29 Mesa Public Schools to recognize each school’s participation in the annual Earth Day Contest. This year’s theme was “Trees Love Recycling.” The City will hold a special tree ceremony at three of the schools to recognize the three first-place winners in grades K-2, 3-4 and 5-6. The remaining 26 trees will be planted by staff from Mesa Public Schools.

“What better way to celebrate Arbor Day than by sharing trees with the community? Mesa is off to a good start in its efforts to plant more trees. But there is still much work to be done,” said Scott Bouchie, Environmental and Sustainability Director. “Creating an urban forest requires commitment from everyone – businesses, schools, residents and the City. Working together we can increase our tree canopy and cool our community.”

Mesa recently rolled out its new community shade tree program to provide trees to Mesa residents in targeted neighborhoods, including the Mesa Electric Utility service area. The City, in partnership with Trees Matter, gave away 100 trees along with in-person training on planting, watering, and maintaining their new trees.

For the 14th consecutive year, the City of Mesa has been named a Tree City USA Community for its commitment to community forestry. The program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Being designated as a Tree City USA city provides the community with a greater ability to improve community urban forests, encourages tree care and planting programs, enhances livable communities, and of course, benefits the environment.

To learn more about Arbor Day and to find a listing of Mesa events, tips, and ideas, visit mesaaz.gov/arborday.