Baytown Celebrates Arbor Day

April 17, 2008

The City of Baytown Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate ArborDay on Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education and Recreation Center.  Trees will be given to the public to encourage the restoration of the natural canopy over the City.  Restoration of natural trees is a key component of efforts to enhance and beautify the appearanceof a community.

Arbor Day, April 25, 2008, marks the 136th anniversary of the tree planters' holiday.  April 27 isalso the 105th anniversary of the death of Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton. Arbor Day iscelebrated in all 50 states and in many countries around the world.  Tree planting andenvironmental stewardship are encouraged through the Arbor Day celebrations.

Scott Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation, said, “Baytown will celebrate Arbor Day at theWetlands Center and will have Live Oak, Loblolly Pine, Bald Cypress, Sawtooth Oak, TexasGreen Ash, Burr Oak, Red Oak, Chinese Pistache, Shumard Red Oak, Hackberry and SweetGum trees available for public adoption.  Over 1,000 one gallon size trees are available this year.  The trees will be limited to three (3) trees per person and will otherwise be available on a firstcome, first-served basis, while the supplies last.”

This year, volunteers from NRG Texas’ Cedar Bayou Electric Generating Station will beassisting Parks and Recreation employees with the distribution of the trees along with helpful information on how and where to plant the trees.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. The Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education and Recreation Center is located at 1724 Market Street.

For more information, please contact City of Baytown Parks and Recreation Department, at (281) 420-6590.