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 Comm...
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