Montana’s statewide Arbor Day Celebration is planned for May 6, 2016, in Butte, where Governor Steve Bullock will proclaim Arbor Day and help plant a tree. The celebration will occur at Emma Park at 11:00 am, with educational booths and activities. The entire community is encouraged to attend.
Butte was selected by the Governor’s Office to host Montana’s official Arbor Day celebration after being named Tree City of the Year. Competition for the title and the opportunity to host the state’s official Arbor Day with the governor is high among the many Montana communities who apply for the honor each year. Butte will be recognized for its urban forestry work, which includes beautification efforts and proactive tree planting throughout the community. The City has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 21 years.
“Butte-Silver Bow is revitalizing their historic uptown district into a beautiful atmosphere by creating more green spaces” said Jamie Kirby, DNRC Urban Forestry Program Manager. “The DNRC is very excited to be part of this effort.”
The public is invited to attend the event which will include presentation of the Tree City USA award and remarks from Bullock, comments from local and state partners, a student performance, booths, and a ceremonial tree planting. Those who attend will also receive a free tree seedling.
About Arbor Day
Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 as a tree planting holiday in Nebraska. In the years following, Morton's idea spread beyond Nebraska and today all 50 states and countries throughout the world celebrate Arbor Day. Montana recognizes its Arbor Day as the last Friday in April. For more information about Arbor Day visit the Arbor Day Foundation’s website at www.arborday.org.
About Montana Urban Forestry
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Urban Forestry Program is supported by a grant from the US Forest Service. The program aims to spread awareness about the importance of trees within communities and provides financial, educational, and technical assistance for urban forestry efforts in Montana. Learn more about urban forestry in Montana at http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/forestry-assistance/urban-and-community-forestry.