~ Mesa, Arizona - In recognition of the nationally celebrated observance, Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman and the Mesa City Council have officially proclaimed April 25 as Arbor Day in Mesa. The proclamation highlights the city's ongoing commitment to tree planting and long-term tree care.

Arbor Day, founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, is celebrated annually on the last Friday in April. This year, Mesa is taking a proactive approach to celebrate this day by promoting its Trees Are Cool Initiative. The initiative aims to plant 1,000,000 trees by 2050, with a focus on areas with low tree canopy.

"Arbor Day is all about recognizing the important role trees play in our city," stated Mayor Mark Freeman. "Trees not only clean our air and water but also provide much-needed shade, making it easier and cooler for residents to walk from their neighborhoods to schools, work or transit."

To kick off this year's Arbor Day celebration, Councilmembers Goforth, Heredia and Spilsbury will join nine community volunteers to visit 12 elementary schools in Mesa on Friday, April 25. During their visits, they will read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss to third-grade students and distribute Blue Palo Verde seeds for them to germinate and plant as part of a hands-on lesson plan.

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In collaboration with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA), the Tree Stewards program continues to make a meaningful impact on Mesa. This spring, the stewards and other community volunteers planted nearly 200 trees at Sherwood Park, Whittier Elementary and the surrounding neighborhood. These areas were selected based on low Tree Equity Scores measured by American Forests.

The Tree Stewards Program offers free training on urban forestry and tree care along with free trees for participants to plant in their neighborhoods. Interested individuals can find more information about the next Tree Steward Program at upcoming virtual information sessions on https://my.mesaaz.gov/43Pax8R.

According to Stephen Addison, Mesa's Urban Forest Program Manager, "Creating a greener and cooler community will take a commitment from all of us - residents, schools, businesses, and the City. We are off to a great start, with plenty of time to collaborate and plant. Working together, we can grow our tree canopy and help cool our neighborhoods. There's no better way to celebrate Arbor Day than by planting trees."

The City also recently concluded its second year of the Mesa Shade Tree Program in partnership with Trees Matter. This program provided up to two free desert-adapted trees to targeted neighborhoods in Mesa, including the Mesa Electric Utility service area. In total, 217 households received 418 trees along with in-person training on planting, watering and care.

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For the 15th consecutive year, the City of Mesa has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. This designation recognizes Mesa's leadership in tree care, planting efforts, and environmental stewardship.

Residents can learn more about Arbor Day and find tree tips and ideas by visiting mesaaz.gov/arborday. The Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA) is a nonprofit organization that works towards creating and supporting cutting-edge sustainability solutions throughout Arizona. By collaborating with communities, schools, and local governments, AZSA focuses on urban forestry, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, and water conservation to build a more sustainable future for all Arizonans.

Trees Matter is another Phoenix-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting an increased tree canopy in the Valley. Through education, community programs, and advocacy efforts, Trees Matter strives to improve public health, foster environmental awareness and create greener and more livable communities across Arizona.

As Arbor Day approaches on April 25th this year, Mesa residents are encouraged to join in the city's efforts to make Mesa a greener and more sustainable place to live. By working together, the community can continue to make a positive impact on the environment and create a healthier, more resilient city for future generations.

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