San Luis Obispo is hosting its 35th Annual Arbor Day celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Santa Rosa Park.
The city has once again been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its dedication to community forestry.
Local elementary school students who participated in the city-sponsored Arbor Day Art Contest will have their winning pieces of art on display at the celebration. The City Council and Tree Committee members will present the contest winners with certificates and t-shirts.
The community will also have the opportunity to help Urban Forest staff plant trees and learn proper care techniques from the City’s Certified Arborists. There will be entertaining and educational booths along with coffee, beverages and breakfast snacks.
According to a press release, the first Arbor Day took place in Nebraska in the spring of 1872. The press release said in San Luis Obispo it is better to plant in the fall with shorter, cooler days and a chance of rain that allows trees to establish themselves before the summer. For this reason, San Luis Obispo’s Arbor Day is now held in the fall.
