Parks and Recreation
News Release
For Immediate Release: April 13, 2010
Contact: Kim Becker
City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department
Henderson Arbor Day Celebration Invites Hands-On Learning
With Tree City USA Recognition
HENDERSON, Nev. – The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its annual Arbor Day celebration starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 30 at Morrell Park, 500 Harris St. The free event is open to everyone.
More than 500 Henderson elementary school students will join Councilwoman Gerri Schroder for a tree planting and Arbor Day proclamation. The event, emceed by meteorologist Kevin Janison, also includes a tree climbing demonstration, play performed by members of the Basic High School thespian group, recognition of Arbor Day poster contest winners, and educational booths hosted by the Nevada American Society of Landscape Architecture, Henderson Sustainability, Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, and Master Gardeners.
The celebration also includes recognition of the City of Henderson as a Tree City USA, an honor sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Henderson has been a Tree City USA 19 times in recognition of its urban and community forestry program.
“This year’s Arbor Day poster contest theme is ‘Trees are Terrific…and Energy Wise,’ which is very fitting given the important role that trees play in our world,” said Lisa Ortega, urban forester, City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. “Trees are terrific because they are beautiful and help clean the air we breathe. But they are energy wise too. Proper landscaping and tree selection to shade a home’s windows and walls on the south and west sides can reduce air conditioning costs by as much as 20 percent.”
Arbor Day participants of all ages may bring a recycled container (up to one gallon) to plant their own tree to take home. More than 700 saplings will be given away to students and the public during the celebration.
Participating children will also receive tree rounds from the nation’s tallest cut Christmas tree, which was recycled by the Parks and Recreation Department in January. The tree rounds are provided courtesy of M Resort Spa & Casino and First Choice Tree Service, Inc.
Sponsors for the City of Henderson’s Arbor Day celebration and Arbor Week, which features educational activities at Henderson elementary schools, include the Henderson Commemorative Beautification Commission, Super Pawn, Century 21 JR Realty, NV Energy and Saguaro Power. The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners serves as an educational partner and provides volunteer support for the program.
For additional information, call 267-4000 or visit cityofhenderson.com.
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