The Bismarck Forestry Division will host a community recognition program and ceremonial planting Friday, May 2, 2014, 1:30 PM, at Will-Moore Elementary School, 400 East Avenue E, Bismarck. The public is welcome and invited to attend. Parking for the event is available on the street. The 2014 Arbor Day theme is: “Healthy trees, Healthy people.”
Each year ceremonial Arbor Day trees are dedicated to local citizens whose efforts have made a significant contribution to Bismarck's urban forest. The tree planting this year is in memory of John and Kay Wanser. John is being honored for his long service on the Forestry Advisory Board that came out of a deep passion to contribute to the community. Both John and Kay are being honored for their abiding love for trees and plants of all sorts.
The location of the Arbor Day event at Will-Moore Elementary School adds a very special note, as it was the focal point of John’s long career as an elementary school principal, where his love for children and teachers was so apparent, and was returned in equal measure. It was also where Kay so patiently worked with children to improve their vision.
The Arbor Day Ceremony will include Apple Seed Awards presented for 2013 landscape beautification efforts of public property. Partners in Planting, community minded sponsors that have partnered with the City to provide funds for a matching grant to help home owners plant street trees, will also be recognized during the program.
The City of Bismarck will receive the 37th consecutive Tree City U.S.A. Award a national designation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
A tree planting will take place (weather permitting) at the close of the program.
The Arbor Day ceremony is supported by the contributions of numerous sponsors that includes:
KLJ, Bismarck-Mandan Garden Club, BNI Coal, Ltd., Markwed Excavating Inc., Northern Improvement Company, Outdoor Services Inc., Swenson, Hagen & Co., Ulteig Engineers, Inc., Bismarck Mandan Elks Lodge 1199, Capital City Lions Club, and the Bismarck Central Dakota Optimist Club.
For more information call 355-1733.