Upcoming Arbor Day events promote value of trees

Avid naturalist and Nebraska newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton wanted to find a way to encourage pioneers to develop the state’s treeless plains. He first spread his enthusiasm for agriculture and nature through the Nebraska City News. He touted the many merits of trees and what they provide—building materials, shade, shelter, fruit, fuel, and beautification of the land—to an equally enthusiastic audience. In 1872, this plan caught on and, with Sterling’s encouragement and the help of school children, the first Arbor Day saw over one million trees planted. The initiative soon spread to neighboring states and eventually throughout the nation and the world. In response to the success of Arbor Day, Morton declared, “Other holidays repose on the past, but Arbor Day proposes for the future.” By planting and caring for trees, you help improve your surroundings, reduce pollution, lower energy costs, improve the appearance of your community and increase the value of your property. Due to different planting seasons and to accommodate the best possible tree planting conditions, Arbor Day falls on different days throughout the U.S. In Washington, it is the second Wednesday in April; in Idaho, where the temperature is slightly lower, it falls on the last Friday in April.) Friday, April 29: 13th Annual Sandpoint Arbor Day Ceremony, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., hosted by The Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society, the event will take place at the North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum at Lakeview Park, corner of Ella Ave. and Ontario St. Come enjoy a variety of activities including conifer tree identification and docent guided habitat tours, composting, fire ecology, and tree coring demonstrations by the U.S. Forest Service. For more info, www.NativePlantSociety.org. or 208-265-2674 Saturday, April 30: Spokane’s Arbor Day Festival & Compost Fair at the John A. Finch Arboretum, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 3404 W 21st Ave. (entrance ½ way up Sunset Highway Hill) Recognized for the 7th year in a row as a “Tree City USA,” Spokane’s annual Arbor Day Festival will include entertainment, activities, information booths, demonstrations, and tree plantings. Free and open to all, compost fair registrants must be registered by 1:30 p.m. to complete all compost stations (takes 45 minutes). Upon completion, participants will receive a free compost bin if they are a Spokane County resident; one bin per household (please bring I.D.). Sponsored by master composter volunteers of the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System For more info, call (509) 624-4832 Saturday, April 30: 15th Annual Coeur d’Alene Arbor Day Ceremony, 9 a.m., East Tubbs Hill Park, E. Lakeshore Drive. Recognized for the 27th year as a Tree City USA, festivities will kick off with their annual pancake breakfast to be followed by a ceremonial tree planting by the Urban Forestry Committee, the presentation of the winning Arbor Day button and poster art, and guided tours of Tubbs Hill. Door prizes, tree seedlings, and Arbor Day buttons will be given away. A highlight of the Idaho Arbor Day event, the Arbor Day button contest is open to middle- and high school students who live in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and Lakeland school districts. Winner of the contest will receive $75; second-place winner - $50; third place - $25. For more info regarding the contest or the event, call Karen at (208) 769-2266