Published April 6 2018
Tree lovers rejoice! The city's annual Arbor Day-Earth Day Family Festival will take place on Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Lewis Creek Park, 5808 Lakemont Blvd. SE. The first 100 households are invited to plant a drop-in tree.
The festivities, including volunteer projects and family-friendly activities, will mark the city's 27th year of recognition as a "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation.
At 11:30 a.m., the festival digs in with the ceremonial tree planting, which will feature a presentation of colors by VFW Post 2995, recognition of volunteers and groups that support environmental efforts in the community, and a prize drawing.
Following the ceremony, local environmental stewardship organizations will host free activities and ecology demonstrations. Participants of all ages are welcome. Children can get their own Arbor Day-Earth Day "passport" from a ranger, earn stamps at eco-stations and enter to win a prize. Other activities include a craft focused on garter snakes and the opportunity to watch macroinvertebrates, namely animals that lack a backbone such as local stream bugs.
In the morning, more than 300 volunteers will work on restoration projects in the neighborhood park.
Bellevue has approximately 1.4 million trees, which increase property values, offer economic benefits for businesses, reduce crime, increase traffic safety, provide health benefits, limit stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
History of Arbor Day and Earth Day
- Arbor Day started in 1872, when Julius Morton with Nebraska’s Board of Agriculture proposed a day to plant and appreciate trees.
- In 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin founded Earth Day to raise awareness of environmental issues such as clean air and water.