HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 1, 2006 D-02aAGENDA ITEM t>" 20.
Oft CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Arbor Day Proclamation
MEETING DATE: March 1,2006
PREPARED BY: Public Works Director
RECOMMENDEDACTION: That Mayor Hitchcock present a proclamation proclaiming Arbor Day in
the City of Lodi.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: This year, the departments of Public Works, Parks and Recreation,
Electric Utilities, and Tree Lodi volunteers will band together to help
the City of Lodi celebrate Arbor Day in its Centennial year.
Information provided by Arbor Day Foundation:
It all began in Nebraska City, Nebraska, 134years ago. A special day was set aside forplanting
trees. This free planting idea caught on and now we celebrate Arbor Day every year.
All over the world, people are planting trees in their yards and in their communities, caring for
them, and learning about their value. Here in the United States, we call this tree planting
festival Arbor Day. In other lands, you may hear it called Arbor Week, Tree Holiday, or Tree
Festival. In Japan, it is called Greening Week. In Israel, it is called the New Year's Day of the
Trees. Korea actually has a Tree -Loving Week, and Iceland has a Student'sAfforestation Day.
(Notice the word "forest" hidden in that complicated word.) This means "to change open land
into forest" People in India celebrate a National Festival of Tree Planting. Whateverpeople
call this special time of year, they are sharing the news that trees are important to us all,
wherever we live around the world.
Arbor Day's Beginnings
On January 4, 1872, Julius Sterling Morton first proposed a tree -planting holiday, to be called
"Arbor Day" at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The date was set forApril 10, 1872.
Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for planting the largest number of trees properly
on that day. It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the
first Arbor Day.
Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by the young state's Governor Robert W. Furnas on
March 12, 1874, and the day itself was observed April 10, 1874. In 1885, Arbor Day was
named a legal holiday in Nebraska , and April 22nd, Morton's birthday, was selected as the date
for its permanent observance.
During the 1870s, other states passed legislation to observe Arbor Day and the tradition began
in schools nationwide in 1882.
Arbor Day has now spread beyond the United States and is observed in many countries of the
world.
APPROVED: 0. 3
Blair King, City anager
J COUNCIL1065ArbarDayProclamation2006 doc 2117/2006
Arbor Day Proclamation
March 1, 2006
Page 2
Trees are very important. The celebration of Arbor Day gives an opportunity to learn about
trees and take positive action to make the world a betterplace. Here is a quick list of reasons
trees are so important to us all.
• Trees provide shade to keep us and our homes cool on hot summer days.
• Trees give off vital oxygen through photosynthesis which you and l and animals need to
breathe.
• Trees absorb harmful pollutants and small particles from the air that could damage our
lungs.
• Trees provide protection from the wind.
• Trees reduce noise pollution.
• Trees give us products such as: chewing gum, crayons, soap, shatterproof glass, suntan
lotion, cork, dyes, life-saving drugs, writing paper: syrup, perfume, pencils, firewood,
building materials, and much, much more.
• Trees provide a home and food for wildlife.
• Rotting logs and leaves eventually turn into soil and put nutrients back into the soil for
other plants to grow.
• Trees are beautiful to look at, nice to listen to as leaves rustle in the breeze, fun to
explore, exciting to climb, and great to dream under.
Lodi has been designated as a Tree City USA for a fourth consecutive year. We benefit from this
designation by receiving preference over other communities for grant money for trees or forestry
programs and through having a greater public image as a city that cares about its trees.
Staff would like to invite the Mayor, the City Council, the City Manager, and the community to this year's
Arbor Day Celebration. This Centennial year event will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2006, 8:00a.m. to
12:00 noon, at Salas Park. Tree Lodi and other volunteers will be assisting with tree planting at various
parks throughout the city.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable
Richard C. Prima, Jr. a
Public Works Director
Prepared by George M. Bradley. Street Superintendent
RCPIGMBIRFldsg
cc: D. Stephen Schwabauer, City Attorney
Tony Goehring. Parks & Recreation Director
Steve Dutra. Parks Superintendent
Ray Fye. Tree Operations Supervisor
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