Keep Mesquite Beautiful, Inc. (KMB) will host a public Arbor Day event to celebrate the importance of trees.
The event will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3 at Cross Elementary School and will feature a performance by the Cross Elementary Choir, guest speakers, a poetry reading and tree planting. Free tree saplings will be given away to attendees while supplies last.
“We are excited to celebrate Texas Arbor Day,” said KMB Executive Director Jonathan Chitty. “In Mesquite, we understand the value and beauty of trees. We are committed to making our community a cleaner, greener place and increasing the quality of life for our residents.”
Founded in 1872, National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, but some states, including Texas, observe Arbor Day at other times in the year to better coincide with the local area’s ideal time to plant trees. The first Texas Arbor Day was celebrated in 1889.
In the spring, the City of Mesquite was named as a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 33rd consecutive year. Mesquite has planted more than 31,000 trees throughout the community since the City developed its Urban Forestry Program in 1988.
The annual Arbor Day gathering is one of the events and projects KMB hosts throughout the year to engage and educate residents to recycle, reduce litter and beautify Mesquite.
“The Arbor Day celebration is a great opportunity for the community to come together to learn more about the importance of Arbor Day and KMB,” Chitty said. “We are encouraging citizens to take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting our environment and to get more involved in improving the appearance of our community.”
KMB’s upcoming events for the fall include Mesquite Recycles Day on Nov. 4 at Poteet High School and the Recycled Fashion Show on Nov. 11 at Town East Mall. For more information about KMB’s programs and events, visit www.keepmesquitebeautiful.org.