FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 21, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Recreation and Parks
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION — "ARBOR WEEK"
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Santa Maria City Council recognize March 7, 2023, through March 14, 2023, as "Arbor Week" in the City of Santa Maria and invite all residents and businesses to celebrate and take part in the festivities by planting trees and acknowledging the important role trees have in the City.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Santa Maria is privileged to recognized as a "Tree City USA" for over 35 years by the Arbor Day Foundation. The State of Califomia's proclamation on January 26, 2011, proclaimed the week of March 7th through March 14th of each year as "California Arbor Week." Arbor Day is celebrated throughout the Nation on various dates with the goal of encouraging Americans to maintain and replenish the Country's vast forests, orchards, and woodlands. Arbor Week is celebrated throughout California by urging residents to observe the week with appropriate tree planting activities and programs.
DISCUSSION:
Founded by J. Sterling Morton, Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states and recognized in several countries. Arbor Day plays an important role in reminding the public of the many benefits trees provide, including clean air, beautiful communities, and shelter to wildlife.
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department has tree -plantings and outdoor nature excursions planned for the community during Arbor Week to educate the residents of Santa Maria about the importance of trees, the benefits they provide to the community, and the history of Arbor Day.
While Arbor Day is celebrated nationally at the end of April, Califomia celebrates Arbor Day on March 7th in honor of famed California Horticulturalist Luther Burbank's birthday. In 2011, the California State Assembly and Senate approved Resolution ACR 10 making California Arbor Day a week-long celebration.
Fiscal Considerations:
Funding to purchase the necessary supplies was made available within the Recreation and Parks Department's FY 2022 - 2023 Budget. No fiscal impacts are expected by making this designation.
Impact to the Community:
Honoring Arbor Week allows the entire community to come together and celebrate the many ways trees benefit not only the City, but the entire world. By showing appreciation and commitment to tree conservation, the community is setting an example for younger generations to follow, thus ensuring the spirit of the celebration continues.
The City of Santa Maria's Urban Forest contains over 27,000 trees. Some of these are in parks and others line our City streets.
City trees make our urban neighborhoods more livable. Trees create a buffer from the often -frantic pace of urban life, they aid in cooling our homes, provide habitat for urban wildlife, and help reduce the global green -house effect and absorb noise, pollutants, and unpleasant odors. City trees soften the impacts of concrete and asphalt with greenery.
They can buffer noise, block winds, cool temperatures, absorb carbon dioxide, replenish oxygen, and filter air and water. An "urban forest" is not just trees, but a biological community closely connected to the human community's quality of life.
Greening the Urban Forest
• Improves Air Quality
• Cleans & Protects Stormwater Runoff
• Creates Wildlife Habitats
• Increases Property Value
• Reduces Urban Sprawl
• Improves Public Health
During Arbor Week, the City will continue planting 15 -gallon street trees as part of the Cal Fire Urban and Community Forestry Grant. Additionally, 125 large street trees will be planted during the next few months using the annual street tree budget.
The Recreation and Parks Department has trees available for planting in front of residences within the City limits. Residents interested in having a tree planted in the easement at their home may contact the Recreation and Parks Department at (805) 925- 0951 extension 2 :•. he 'epartment staff will also provide regular pruning.
ALE " i R POSADA
Director of Recreation and Parks
City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
Santa Maria
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WHEREAS, Arbor Week is celebrated nationally to encourage Americans to maintain and replenish the country's vast forests, orchards, urban areas, and woodlands; and WHEREAS, the residents of Santa Maria recognize that trees are a vital resource in beautifying the community's environment by relieving our carbon footprint and serving as valuable economic assets in the City; maintaining or increasing property values and attracting businesses and new residents to Santa Maria; and
WHEREAS, by educating children in the community of the importance of trees, the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is working to ensure Arbor Day remains an important day to future generations and is coordinating activities with the local school districts to educate children on the many benefits trees provide, as well as the history of Arbor Day; and
WHEREAS, through an Arbor Day Proclamation, President Theodore Roosevelt announced, "A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as hopeless." The President's message still rings true today; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria acknowledges the State of California's proclamation encouraging a celebration of trees.
NOW, THEREFORE I, ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria hereby recognize the week of March 7, 2023, through March 14, 2023, as:
"ARBOR WEEK"
in the City of Santa Maria, and invite all residents and businesses to celebrate and take part in the festivities by planting trees and acknowledging the important role trees have in the City.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 21" day of March 2023.
Alice M. Patino, Mayor