For the Reporter

The City of Auburn invites the public to attend the Arbor Day celebration at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16 at Les Gove Park, 910 Ninth St. SE.

City officials, 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 will plant a Stewartia tree as part of the Arbor Day commemoration. The Auburn Garden Club donated the tree.

Mayor Nancy Backus also will proclaim April 16 as Arbor Day in Auburn and encourage citizens to support the efforts to protect trees and woodlands and to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of present and future generations.

Auburn is recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA, which recognizes communities that effectively manage their urban forest and meet Tree City USA standards.

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 more information, call the City’s Planning Department at 253-931-3090.