City Council Agenda Report
TO: Mayor Clauzel and Members of the City Council
FROM: Fernando Ulloa, City Manager
BY: Mike Willett, Public Works Director
MEETING DATE: March 4, 2025
ITEM NO: 5.6
SUBJECT: Approve Resolution No. 2025-09 Proclaiming Arbor Week during March 7-14, 2025, in the City of Patterson.
RECOMMENDATION
Motion to Approve Resolution No. 2025-09 Proclaiming Arbor Week during March 7-14, 2025, in the City of Patterson.
BACKGROUND
The City of Patterson and many other communities in California work together to celebrate and promote the importance of California Arbor Week. The City of Patterson understands the importance of trees and its goal is to preserve as many trees as possible to obtain the benefits they supply such as reduced energy costs, increased property values, aesthetics, and clean air.
The City of Patterson also has obtained its Tree City USA status in 2016 through the Arbor Day Foundation with the assistance of the Cal-Fire Grant funds secured by the City.
This is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their urban forest. This is achieved by meeting four (4) core standards of sound Urban Forestry Management; maintaining a tree department; having a community tree ordinance; and spending at least $2 per capita on Urban Forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
Currently, the city has an Urban Forestry Division and Parks Division whose primary responsibility is to maintain and preserve over 13,563 street and park trees. However, it is important that the city expands its efforts to the community through education and public outreach.
ANALYSIS
Every year during March 7-14, Californians celebrate Arbor Week by planting and maintaining trees within their communities. California Arbor Week helps unite the community and helps educate on the value trees provide to building successful, healthy cities, and neighborhoods.
Every year, the city holds Arbor Day events at various elementary schools and at city parks.
Food, activity stations, prizes, free giveaways, and educational tree plantings are held. This year, the city will not only focus on the importance of a healthy Urban Forest, but also educating them about the importance of protecting the environment, through “Green Week.” Green Week will be filled with activities developed around Trees, Water Conservation, Stormwater Management, Recycling, and Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Programs. This year’s Green Week includes school visits, presentation, a recycling contest, tree planting, and an Arbor Day poster contest. Students will learn good environmental practices and inspire them to become Green Ambassadors in our community.
Green Week will also be promoted on all Social Media platforms to educate residents about environmental responsibility and sustainability in our community. The schedule of events for Green Week (March 10 - 14, 2025) are as follows:
Date Duration School Activities
March 11, 2025 9:30AM to 11:30 am Northmead Elementary
School
Arbor Day Presentation,
Recycling Contest, Poster
Contest, and Environmental
Program Stations.
March 12,2025 9:00 AM to 10:30
AM
West Valley Learning
Center
Arbor Day Presentation,
Poster Contest, and
Environmental Program
Stations.
March 13,2025 9:00 am to 11:00 am Sacred Heart Catholic School
Arbor Day Presentation,
Recycling Contest, Poster
Contest, and Environmental
Program Stations.
Public Works is excited about “Green Week,” and we look forward to expanding this in years to come. The city has designed their Green Week logo that will be promoted during this week.
Attached for Council consideration and approval is the Resolution proclaiming Arbor Week.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this event will be obtained from our Urban Forestry budget. Budget will cover the purchase of trees, prizes, water, and education & outreach materials needed for the event.