Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing 2017 Arbor Day
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize Arbor Day and the importance of trees and native forests to our community.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Recognize Arbor Day and the importance of trees and native forests to our community.
Staff Contact:
Jesse Barham, Associate Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8164
Shelly Bentley, Urban Forestry Program Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8301
Presenter(s):
Jesse Barham, Associate Planner, Public Works Water Resources
Shelly Bentley, Urban Forestry Program Manager, Community Planning & Development
Background and Analysis:
On Arbor Day, we honor trees for their contribution to our society. Trees and forests contribute to the aesthetics, urban fabric and unique ecology forming the identity of our community. In a City the size of Olympia, trees and other native vegetation provide ecological functions that are worth literally millions of dollars such as:
• Air filtration and carbon sequestration
• Stormwater retention
• Erosion control and slope stabilization
• Moderation of urban microclimate
• Shading our creeks, shorelines, and wetlands while providing wildlife habitat
Trees also provide psychological, social, health and safety benefits. The City of Olympia is committed to creating a sustainable urban environment through preserving, managing and improving this valuable natural resource.
In 2017, three City departments (Community Planning and Development, Parks, Arts and Recreation; and Public Works) are collaborating on a variety of events to celebrate Arbor Day in historic Priest Point Park on Saturday March 25. Festivities will take place from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and will include:
• Three one- hour interactive workshops offered by experts throughout the day on Proper Pruning Techniques, Invasive Plants of Local Forests and a Guided Forest Ecology Tour. There will also be a Stewardship Event in the lower Mission Creek Watershed planting native trees and shrubs and managing invasive plants.
• A mid-day celebration at kitchen shelter #4 in Priest Point with music and refreshments which will include:
o Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Forester, Gerry Day will present the City with the 24th consecutive National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA Award.
o Linden Lampman, DNR Community and Urban Forestry Program Manager will congratulate the City on receiving a Growth Award in recognition of the City’s increased commitment in 2016 to plant and care for its public trees.
o Arbor Day proclamation will be read.
o The City will honor the two 2017Jay Butts Friends of Trees Award recipients, which is given to persons for outstanding dedication and commitment to stewardship of trees and native vegetation in Olympia.
Following the Celebration a Scavenger Hunt for kids using a Nature Notebook will encourage families to search for native plants and signs of wildlife. A prize will be given to the kids that show their notebook to volunteers upon completion.
In addition, eleven (11) trees have been planted at the William B Creighton Justice Center on Plum Street in honor of Arbor Day.
See www.olympiawa.gov\arborday <http://www.olympiawa.gov/arborday> for details.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
N/A
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Proclamation
Event Flyer
Tree City USA Letter