CITY CELEBRATES
ARBOR DAY

Sarasota, FL:  The City of Sarasota will celebrate Arbor Day Fri., April 24, 2009 with ceremonies at two schools.  The first ceremony will take place at 9am at Booker Middle School, 2250 Myrtle Street.  The festivities will continue at 1:30 pm at Southside Elementary School, 1901 Webber Street.  Florida native trees will be planted by City staff with help from students.  The events also will include poetry readings, performances by the student choral and a presentation by a local forester. 

The trees which will be planted will beautify areas in need of landscape.  They also will provide a shaded area for students to enjoy.  Several nurseries donated the trees for Arbor Day:  Grant’s Gardens; Hazeltine; and Turner Tree & Landscape.

The City of Sarasota takes pride in its commitment to preserving and enhancing its urban canopy.  The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Sarasota for the past 23 years as a Tree City USA.  “There are about 76,000 trees within City properties, right-of-ways and parks,” said Todd Kucharski, Public Works General Manager.  “They provide beautification.  And, they benefit the community overall.”  Trees help reduce heating and cooling costs, prevent erosion, produce oxygen, purify rain water, and provide habitat for wildlife. 

J. Sterling Morton proposed Arbor Day in 1872 to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture.  During the inaugural event, more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska.  Arbor Day is now celebrated worldwide.