October 4, 2022
Mayor's Office
DATE: October 4, 2022
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Tom Butt, Mayor
Subject: Arbor Day – October 15, 2022
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Arbor Day is a holiday in which individuals and groups are inspired to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: PROCLAMATION declaring October 15, 2022 , as Arbor Day in the City of Richmond – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Tom Butt 510-620-6503).
DISCUSSION:
In 1594, the Spanish village of Mondoñedo celebrated the first documented Arbor Day and in 1805, the Spanish village of Villanueva de la Sierra celebrated the first modern AGENDA
REPORT
October 4, 2022
day Arbor Day, organized by local priest Don Ramón Vacas Roxo who was convinced of the importance of trees for health, hygiene, decoration, nature, environment, and customs. In 1872, Nebraska City celebrated the first Arbor Day in the United States, organized by journalist Julius Sterling Morton who led the charge in the planting of approximately 1 million trees, 98 years before it became a federal holiday in 1970 under President Nixon.
The benefits of a healthy urban forest include improved air quality, storm water filtration, and a reduction in carbon dioxide, crime, energy consumption, heat island effect, and ozone formation. The City of Richmond is committed to urban reforestation, takes great pride in its beautification projects; and is requesting recertification as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The City of Richmond is developing the Urban Greening Plan, a master document to guide and coordinate future greening projects that includes a living list of approved street trees, tree inventory, and urban forest best practices appendix.
The City of Richmond expresses its sincere appreciation to the Public Works Department’s Parks and Landscaping Division, which improves the quality of life for all residents through the efforts and dedication of its members and the community.
On Saturday, October 15, 2022, the Parks Maintenance Division and the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee will engage in a tree planting project at John F. Kennedy Park at the corner of Cutting Boulevard and South 41st Street.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation