Arbor Day celebration, tree giveaway planned

 (From the City of Joplin)

 Officials from the City of Joplin, Empire District Electric Company and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invite the public to join them in recognizing Friday, April 25 as Arbor Day in Joplin. A short program to recognize the benefits trees provide our community will be held at 11 a.m. at Parr Hill Park, located at 18th Street and Kansas.

The City will present a Proclamation naming April 25, 2014 as Arbor Day for the City of Joplin. Immediately following the program, the City and Empire foresters will give complimentary trees to residents. These foresters, along with representatives of the MDC and the City’s Tree Advisory Board, will be available to provide information about the importance of planting the right tree in the right place.

Ric Mayer, the Community Forestry Recovery Coordinator with the Missouri Department of Conservation, will be recognized for his work to reforest the area affected by the May 2011 tornado. Thousands of trees in the City were lost due to the storm, with losses totaling over 200 trees in Cunningham and Parr Hill Parks alone. Tree donations have allowed the City to start the process of planting replacement trees.

A variety of trees specifically selected to aid in reforestation efforts in Joplin and Duquesne will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Trees will be given away following the program through 1 p.m. or until trees are supplies last.

The event will also celebrate Joplin’s status as a Tree City USA and Empire’s fifth year as a Tree Line USA utility, as recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation. To become a Tree City USA, a city must initiate standards that address management and care of public trees, commit to a community forestry program, and participate in an event to provide education about proper tree care. To receive the Tree Line USA designation, a utility must follow quality tree care standards, provide annual worker training, and participate in tree planting, public education and tree-based energy conservation efforts.

For more information about the City’s Tree City USA program, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 417-624-6937. For information about Empire’s vegetation management program and utility arboretum projects, go to www.empiredistrict.com/trees.