For immediate release: April 23, 2024
Contact: Aaron Huotari
Public Works Director
Telephone: 207-992-4501
Email: aaron.huotari@bangormaine.gov
City of Bangor to celebrate National Arbor Day
BANGOR, Maine – The City of Bangor will be celebrating National Arbor Day on Friday, April 26, by planting a tree at 9:15 a.m. at Vine Street School, 66 Vine St. The planting ceremony will be attended by approximately 40 third-grade students and staff from the Vine Street School, City Council Chair Cara Pelletier, City of Bangor Forestry Manager Ben Arruda, and Public Works Director Aaron Huotari.
National Arbor Day was originally observed in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. On that single day, more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska. Since that time, the Arbor Day celebration has expanded to all 50 states, as well as countries all over the world. 2024 marks the 152nd year of our collective celebration of trees. The Arbor Day celebration generally includes the planting of a tree. The planting ceremony represents an investment in, and a hope for, our collective future. It is an investment in our soil and clean water, in the cooling effects the tree will provide, in habitat for a variety of wildlife, in a healthy community, and in providing natural beauty and joy for the benefit of residents and visitors to our great City.
Bangor’s commitment to public trees is demonstrated in City code and actions. The City Council presented this year’s Arbor Day proclamation on April 22, 2024. City Ordinance 284, Article III calls for a Tree Board to guide the City’s tree work and outlines provisions for the protection of public trees. The Forestry Division of the Public Works Department plants between 60 and 100 trees annually. The Parks and Recreation Department plants and maintains public trees in all City parks and City forests. This ongoing annual investment to maintain a healthy tree program for public enjoyment has earned the City the designation of “Tree City, USA” from the Arbor Day Foundation for the last 20 years. This recognition is a point of pride for the City. The Tree Board and supporting City departments have reenergized their public tree efforts, recently commissioning sustainable forest management plans (FMP) for City forests, making plans to develop FMPs for urban areas, and initiating a tree inventory to ensure all parts of the City have equal opportunities to enjoy public trees.
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The City of Bangor, Maine, is a service center community of 31,753 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.