Wasilla celebrates Arbor Day 2022

Mayor Glenda Ledford and the City of Wasilla marked Arbor Day with a reading of the Mayor’s Proclamation and a tree planting by the Wasilla Parks and Recreation, along with students from the Fronteras Spanish Immersion Charter School. Smokey the Bear was also on hand to remind students and attendees about the potential for wildfires.

Ledford was on hand to proclaim that the third Monday in May to be Arbor Day, a special day set aside to encourage and observe the planting of trees nationwide. Mayor Ledford also announced that the city of Wasilla had been named “tree City USA,” one of nearly 3400 cities across the US, as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to effective forest management.

“Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling cost, moderate the temperature, produce life-giving oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife,” Ledford said in remarks before three trees were planted. Ledford urged citizens to plant trees, and reminded people that tress not only bring joy, but are a renewable energy source.

Students alongside Parks and Recreation workers planted three apple trees not far from the tennis courts at the park. Students also got vouchers for seedling trees that they can pick up later this summer.