June 1, 2023 |
Photo – Past Arbor Day Tree Selections – Bigfoot99 file photo
Rawlins will host a belated Arbor Day Celebration and Education Event this weekend.
The city of Rawlins will celebrate Arbor Day on June 2nd and 3rd, a month later than the national observance of April 28th. University of Wyoming Ag and Natural Resources Extension Educator Abby Perry said one of the reasons for the date change was to take advantage of the optimal planting season for local trees.
Arbor Day was established in 1872 as a special day specifically to plant trees. The first Arbor Day was held in Nebraska and saw over a million trees planted.
At the Arbor Day celebration, people can attend two educational courses at the Carbon County Higher Education Center. Perry said one program will focus on tree selection and maintenance. The UW extension educator said participants will also visit the Urban Orchard, at 800 Colorado Street, for an in-person demonstration on tree trimming.
Perry said a landscaping course will be offered during the Arbor Day Celebration. She explained what people will learn in the class.
Perry said this weekend’s event is the first time Rawlins has held an Arbor Day celebration during June. The UW extension educator said April was too early for people to plant the trees they purchased at past events. Perry said moving the celebration date into the planting season was less confusing for people.
Rawlins Parks Superintendent Tyrell Perry said selling trees is an important part of the city’s Arbor Day celebration. He said the city has over 120 trees available to purchase, at cost. The city’s parks superintendent said the plant sale offers a good variety.
Parks Superintendent Perry said an Arbor Day Celebration is required for the city to keep its Tree City USA designation. Established by the Arbor Day Foundation in 1976, the Tree City USA program provides participating municipalities more public awareness and access to educational opportunities, technical assistance, and grants. Perry said the city has been in the program for the past 28 years. The parks superintendent explained the obligations the city has to maintain its status.
The Rawlins Arbor Day Celebration and Education Event is this Friday and Saturday, June 2nd and 3rd.
On Friday, the tree sale is from 12:00 to 6:00 pm at the Rawlins Rec Center, at 1616 Harshman Street. Starting at 1:00pm, a geodesic dome construction demonstration will be held at the Urban Orchard.
The tree sale and geodesic dome build will continue into Saturday. The two available horticultural classes run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at the Higher Education Center. Also on Saturday, food trucks will be available at the rec center.
