By KRWG News
Las Cruces – The City of Las Cruces will sponsor an Arbor Day event Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burn Lake Park, located south of Amador Avenue between Valley Drive and Motel Boulevard. Arbor Day is associated nationally with the planting of trees.
City Councillor Nathan Small, district 4, whose district includes Burn Lake, and various City of Las Cruces departments will participate in the event, which includes the distribution of 600 free seedling trees. The trees will be Arizona Sycamore, Desert Willow, Lacebark Elm, Rocky Mountain Juniper and Afghanistan Pine. The trees will be distributed free of charge on a first come, first served basis with a limit of one per family. A "how to" plant guide will be included to aid in successful plantings.
In addition, three Chinese Pistache trees will be raffled near the end of the event. Winners must be present to win and names and emails will be collected for a "Friends of Trees" email list.
The Las Cruces Museum of Natural History will promote its newest exhibit,
"A Forest Journey," from the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Hands on children's activities related to "A Forest Journey" will be included.
Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) will provide information on the Great American Cleanup, and Libby, the City of Las Cruces Codes Enforcement/KLCB service dog will make a visit with her officer.
"The Burn Lake Arbor Day Festival will be a wonderful time for the entire family," said City Councillor Nathan Small, dist. 4. "Families come first at Burn Lake. The morning tree planting ceremony, the giveaway of 600 seedling trees and the raffle of three Chinese Pistache trees, combined with local community groups will make this an Arbor Day to remember," Small said.
According to Small, community organizations are invited to participate. Deadline to register is 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 27th.
Also participating in the Arbor Day celebration is City of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation.
Arbor Day is a nationally recognized holiday intended to spread information about the many benefits that trees have on society. Trees provide oxygen, improve landscapes, and boost moral of societies.
Since the first Arbor Day in 1872, millions of trees have been planted across the country, and worldwide. In 1970, the late President Richard Nixon recognized Arbor Day as a national holiday.
For more information or to register to participate, contact City Councillor Nathan Small at 575/640-5457 or nsmall@las-cruces.org