Title
Arbor Day Proclamation
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim March 28, 2015 as Arbor Day in Olympia
Report
Issue:
Recognize Arbor Day and the importance of trees in our community.
Staff Contact:
Jesse Barham, Associate Planner, Public Work Water Resources, 360.753.8164
Michelle Bentley, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8301
Sylvana Niehuser, Park Ranger, Parks Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8258
Presenter(s):
Jesse Barham, Michelle Bentley and Sylvana Niehuser will accept the proclamation.
Background and Analysis:
On Arbor Day, we honor trees for their contribution to our society. Trees and forests are part of the fabric and identity of our community. In a City the size of Olympia, trees provide ecological services that are worth literally millions of dollars such as:
· Air filtration
· Stormwater retention
· Carbon sequestration
· Erosion control
· Slope stabilization
· Moderation of urban microclimate
· Shading our creeks, shorelines, and wetlands
· Providing wildlife habitat
Trees also provide psychological, social, health and safety benefits that are not easy to quantify.
The City of Olympia is committed to creating a sustainable urban environment through managing and improving this valuable natural resource. Three City departments (Community Planning and Development; Parks, Arts, and Recreation; and Public Works) and other community partners are collaborating on a variety of events to celebrate Arbor Day in 2015 including:
· Two volunteer stewardship events led by Parks and Public Works at Priest Point Park and Grass Lake Refuge. Volunteers will remove invasive species and plant native trees and shrubs.
· Following the two stewardship projects, participants will be invited to attend a celebration at the Artesian Commons in downtown Olympia.
· A new downtown street tree will be planted near the Artesian Commons. Two additional trees will be planted at the Commons, compliments of Puget Sound Energy.
· At the tree planting, a representative from the Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program will present City staff with the 22nd consecutive National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA Award in recognition of the City's commitment to planting and caring for its public trees.
· The City will honor the 2015 Jay Butts Friends of Trees Award recipient, which is given to a person for outstanding dedication and commitment to the planting, maintenance and preservation of trees in Olympia. The recipient of the award has not been determined.
· Washington State Department of Enterprise Services and Department of Natural Resources will offer a historic tree tour of the Capitol Campus as well as a tree planting.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
No known conflicting interests
Options:
None
Financial Impact:
None
Attachment:
Arbor Day Proclamation