Arbor Day

Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, it's celebrated on the last Friday in April. It has been over 135 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever. Keep Akron Beautiful has been celebrating Arbor Day for 20 years. Over 50,000 seedlings and over 1,500 Arbor Day Presentations have been given to 4th grade students since the start of our Arbor Day program.

 

This year, Arbor Day was on April 30th, 2010 and Keep Akron Beautiful, in partnership with the City of Akron gave out 2,500 Red Bud Seedlings  to every public, charter and private school fourth grader in the City of Akron. 

Teacher Joanne Yarnall’s fourth graders at Leggett Community Learning Center (CLC) wrote their winning ten word in answer to this directive: Create a slogan expressing why planting one tree at a time is important to fight the impact of climate change.

 

“Plant a tree and make the world a cooler place”

 

A panel of five judges chose that slogan as the best one submitted in 2010. Suncrest Gardens donated the tree to be planted at the new Leggett CLC, while Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth will be represented Mayor Don Plusquellic, by presenting the Proclamation and award certificate to Principal Philomena Vincente, at the school tree planting.

Pam Ray, Education Specialist for Keep Akron Beautiful, delivered 67 classroom presentations about the origin and importance of this national holiday to fourth grade classes in every public, private and charter school in Akron!. The second place winning slogan was composed by a class at Rimer Community Learning Center, under teacher Catherine Foot: One Tree, One Earth, One Hope for All. R. B. Stout Inc. will be installing a donated tree at 1:30 p.m. on their campus under the watchful eye of Principal Nancy Ritch.

            One tree at a time to make our environment shine! was the third place winner, written by the fourth grade class of Linda Underwood at Betty Jane Community Learning Center. Principal Teresa Kossuth is working with Vizmeg Landscaping to select the appropriate tree to plant at 12:15 on their school grounds. Kevin Lockett, KAB Board of Directors was a judge this year, along with Jan Enright, of the KAB Beautification Board; Nancy Ritch, Principal of Rimer Community Learning Center; Jeff Walck of the City’s Motor Equipment Department; and Charles Jones, Principal at Findley Community Learning Center.

            The nonprofit agency, Keep Akron Beautiful thanks the Service Department of the City of Akron for the assistance in selecting 2,500 Red Bud seedlings to give to each public, charter and private school fourth grade student in the city, to commemorate Arbor Day. Bill Hahn, the city Arborist, assists with the packing of the seedlings that are delivered to the schools by the KAB Beautification Board volunteers on April 29, 2010. The City of Akron was awarded its 15th Tree City Award by the Arbor Day Foundation. Ohio has more certified Tree Cities than any other state! We hope the fourth grade students learn to respect living things as they nurture their tree and watch it grow through the years in their own backyard!

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We hope Akron fourth-grade students learn about the value of trees as well as respecting living

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