The city of Vancouver is holding an Arbor Day celebration from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Water Resources Education Center, kicking off a monthlong community celebration of trees.
The event at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way will include brief comments by local and state officials and the ceremonial planting of a Ginkgo tree, the official Arbor Day tree. Vancouver will be recognized with the Tree City USA Growth Award and as Tree City USA for 27 consecutive years.
Vancouver residents are invited to attend and receive a free tree seedling to take home to plant. There will be children’s activities aimed at inspiring stewardship of trees and other natural resources.
This year’s theme, “Clean Water Starts with a Tree,” encourages Vancouver residents to plant trees to protect and improve streams, lakes and rivers. Trees improve the quality of surface waters by slowing down rain as it falls to the ground, helping the moisture better soak into the soil, reducing stormwater runoff. Trees prevent soil from eroding into our waterways, reduce potential flood damage and act as natural filters to protect streams, rivers and lakes, according to a city press release.
For more information, go to www.cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry.
