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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 17, 2010 C-02aAGENDA ITEM f0dIWAS isCITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION im AGENDA TITLE: Arbor Day Proclamation MEETING DATE: March 17,2010 PREPARED BY: Interim Parks and Recreation Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Mayor Katzakian make a presentation proclaiming April 9,2010, as Arbor Day in the City of Lodi. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Staff would like to invite the City Council and members of the community to the Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 9, 2010, at Lawrence School. Participants will be provided tree, mistletoe and recycling education. Tree seedlings, spring cleanup materials and refreshments will be available. Additionally, the participants will be invited to help plant seven new donated trees. This year's celebration is being organized and funded through a group effortfrom the Public Works, Parks& Recreation and Electric Utility Departments; Tree Lodi; Lodi Improvement Committee; Waste Management; Lodi Unified School District; Wal-Mart and the Lodi Arts Commission. 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 Nebraska Board of Agriculture. The date was set for April 10, 1872. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by Nebraska Governor RobertW. Furnas on March 12, 1874, and the day itself was observed April 10, 1874. In 1885, Arbor Day became a legal holiday in Nebraska, and April 22"d, 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 is now observed in many other countries. Lodi received the "Tree City USA designation for an eighth consecutive year. This designation affords the City preference over other communities for grant moneyfor trees or forestry programs. It also enhances the City's public image as a community that cares about its trees. FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable I James M. Rodems Interim Parks and Recreation Director Prepared by Steve Dutra, Parks Superintendent JMR/SDAI cc: Ray Fye, Tree Operations Supervisor APPROVED: %�— Blair King,i Manager Public WorksDepartment Lodi Electric Utility Parks & Recreation Department Lodi CommunityDevelopment TreeLodi Lodi UniftedSchool District WasteManagement Wal-Mart West CoastArborists Sda'doof 5&4dwsa WAL*MART KEEP ERICA Save money. Live better. Lodi BEA Tree Lodi WASTE MANAGEMENT EM"'Orm "IF77RHM DO SOMETHING FAUTIPUL Think Green.