Auburn celebrated Arbor Day this morning by planting a Japanese Larch tree at Game Farm Park.

The Auburn Garden Club donated the tree.

City leaders, along with volunteers from the Auburn Garden Club, Auburn Tree Board, Auburn Park Board, representatives from the state Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Community Forestry Council participated in the commemoration.

The National Arbor Day Foundation recognizes Auburn as a Tree City USA. Those communities are recognized for effectively managing the urban forest and meet four standards: 1, establish a tree governing body; 2, maintain a comprehensive community forestry program that spends at least $2 per capita on the urban forest; 3, maintain a tree care ordinance; and 4, hold an annual celebration related to Arbor Day.

Mayor Pete Lewis proclaimed today as Arbor Day in the city.

Linden Lampman, of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources of Tree City USA, presented Lewis with a 10-year anniversary trophy.

As part of Auburn’s Tree City USA designation, the City of Auburn Planning Department manages community grants that encourage citizens to apply for tree plantings in residential and commercial neighborhoods. In exchange for financial assistance, groups must commit to plant, water and maintain the trees.

For additional information about the tree grants, call the City of Auburn Planning Department at 253-931-3090.

For more information about Arbor Day or planting trees, call 253-931-3043.