VANCOUVER — The city of Vancouver unfurls a month long community celebration of trees this April, starting with a traditional Arbor Day planting event from 10-11 a.m. Wed., April 12 at Clark College, 2000 Fort Vancouver Way.
This year’s Arbor Day theme, “Great trees create great streets,” highlights the many benefits street trees provide to creating safe, healthy streets and communities.
C-TRAN will be the guest of honor at this year’s Arbor Day to celebrate the new, energy efficient bus rapid transit line, The Vine, which was recently completed. The Vine connects Clark College, downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver Mall, with 34 stations featuring improved safety and security using LED lighting technology. As part of The Vine project, more than 200 new trees were planted along its 6-mile corridor, including over 130 trees along Fort Vancouver Way, to make public spaces and streets more attractive, sustainable and welcoming to all users.
During the Arbor Day event, Vancouver will be recognized with the prestigious Tree City USA Growth Award, and will be named Tree City USA for the 28th consecutive year. Clark College will be recognized with the Tree Campus USA Award and Clark Public Utilities will be recognized with the Tree Line USA Award.
The celebration will include brief comments by local and state officials, members of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry Commission, and representatives of local partner organizations. Concluding the event, the ceremonial planting of the official Arbor Day tree, a Hemlock, will take place near Clark College’s STEM Building. Vancouver residents are invited to attend the event and receive a free tree seedling to take home to plant. Children will be treated to activities inspiring stewardship of trees and other natural resources.
“Street trees are the fabric that connects our neighborhoods, parks and natural areas,” Vancouver Urban Forester Charles Ray said. “Street trees absorb pollution from exhaust, intercept stormwater, shade streams, slow traffic, beautify our neighborhoods and more.
“Great trees create great streets,” Ray said. “Vancouver’s street trees provide numerous benefits, such as energy conservation, stormwater reduction and increased air quality. They also help create healthy urban communities by improving health, increasing community interaction and boosting property values.”
Unable to participate in official Arbor Month events? Celebrate at home by planting a tree on private property or by attending a hands-on tree pruning workshop at 5 p.m. on Thu., April 6. For a complete listing of activities, including times and locations, visit the Urban Forestry webpage at www.cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry or call (360) 487-8308.
Urban Forestry is a branch of the City of Vancouver’s Department of Public Works. Arbor Day is a national observance encouraging tree planting and proper tree care. For more information, visit the National Arbor Day Foundation website at www.arborday.org.
Information provided by city of Vancouver
