TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
title
Designation of April 26, 2024, as Arbor Day. Resolution No. 11535.
body
2. Summary
Adoption of Resolution No. 11535 will designate April 26, 2024, as Arbor Day in the City of Orange.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 11535. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange designating April 26, 2024, as Arbor Day.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance and promote quality of life in the community
a: Renovate, maintain, develop, and/or expand public use places and spaces.
Goal 3: Enhance and promote quality of life in the community
b: Deliver high quality and safe recreational, social, environmental, educational and cultural services.
6. Discussion and Background
The City of Orange has been performing Arbor Day Events for over 30 years. Our city has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 35 consecutive years. An annual observance of Arbor Day is a requirement for maintaining the City of Orange as a Tree City USA. The Arbor Day plantings allow us to beautify neighborhoods with the involvement of the community by planting hundreds of trees. Arbor Day is a fantastic opportunity to involve the community in the appreciation of trees. The interaction with community members and trees results in a connection with nature and a caring for important green infrastructure. This connection oftentimes spreads to other community members following an event. The direct involvement with this event is not only an opportunity to bring the community together, but also instills a sense of ownership and care for trees. This is especially important with the involvement of the younger volunteers who often have yet to develop an appreciation for trees prior to such an event.
The observation of Arbor Day and community planting event will be on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Volunteers from the community will be planting nineteen 15-gallon Engelmann Oak trees. Planting will be in parkways at Walnut Avenue and Milford Road, Walnut Avenue and Wayfield Street, and at Handy Street and Palm Avenue near the Santiago Creek trail entrance. The trees are being donated for the event by West Coast Arborists. Participation in an Arbor Day event is required as part of the annual certification for Tree City USA.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. 11535
• Arbor Day Planting Map