New Trees to be Planted along Columbia Tap Trail by Volunteers
HOUSTON - Mayor Sylvester Turner, Apache Corporation, Trees for Houston, Texas A&M Forest Service and volunteers from across the City will join the Houston Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday, January 20, 2018, to celebrate Houston's 32nd Annual Arbor Day. The official Arbor Day program begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be followed by the planting of trees along the Columbia Tap Trail. The opening ceremony will take place at 3347 Blodgett, 77004 and parking is available at Texas Southern University's Lot C Blodgett Street Entrance.
"Houston's annual Arbor Day Celebration is a statement about the can-do spirit of Houston residents," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "For 32 years our partners and volunteers have come together to plant trees and increase the green canopy of Houston's urban forest. We appreciate their commitment and hard work."
Since 2007, the Apache Corporation has partnered with the parks department in support of the department's Urban Forestry program and the annual Arbor Day celebration.
"We take pride in supporting the parks' efforts to cultivate the land through planting trees," said Wendy Craven, Manager, Corporate Outreach. "Our commitment to the environment is one of our strong core values, so it's organically a part of Apache's culture and the way we do things."
The Apache Corporation continues its partnership with the parks department through its continuing sponsorship of the Bayou City Classic and the Tour de Houston. Both events provide financial support to the parks department's forestry program.
"Their support is making a difference in our parks and greenspaces across the city," said Steve Wright, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department. "We would also like to thank Trees for Houston and the Texas Forest Service. Their partnership has made a difference in how we manage our green canopy."
In addition to the 32nd Annual Arbor Day tree planting event, the department will be recognized as a Tree City USA city by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree City USA designation is awarded to cities by the foundation for their commitment to stewardship and increase of the tree canopy. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that exists to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Tree City USA has been a program of the Arbor Day Foundation since 1976.
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) stewards and manages over 37,851 acres of parkland and greenspace for the City of Houston and develops and implements recreational programming for citizens of all abilities. For more information on the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, call (832) 395-7022 or visit www.houstonparks.org.