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Background: <br />As the Board knows, Arbor Day is typically observed in Minnesota on the last Friday of April <br />and the month of May is recognized as Arbor Month. For the past couple years, the City has <br />coordinated an Arbor Day planting that coincided with the Board's May meeting. Staff has <br />reviewed and evaluated the last three (3) Arbor Day planting events (two coincided with an EPB <br />meeting and one did not), and while each was a significant accomplishment, there were some <br />tweaks that seemed appropriate. <br />First of all, the large, ball and burlap style trees seem to be too large for a volunteer planting <br />event. Secondly, an evening event has not drawn much interest from surrounding <br />neighborhoods, even after sending out post cards and/or letters inviting them to participate in <br />these plantings. <br />Therefore, Staff is implementing a couple changes to this year's Arbor Day planting event. The <br />City's Arbor Day planting event is scheduled for Saturday, May 22. This coincides with the <br />Anoka High School football team members' (girls and boys, grades 9 -12) `day of service' in <br />Ramsey, Anoka and Andover. There will be a small group of the students that will assist with <br />planting throughout the morning, among other projects. <br />Seedlings will be used this year rather than large trees. Through the MN DNR's Arbor Month <br />Tree Seedling Program, Staff has ordered roughly 1700 seedlings, including white pine, <br />tamarack, mixed oak (red, white and bur), black walnut and sugar maple. The majority of these <br />will be .planted in several parks or public areas within the City (Forest Hideaway, Shawn Acres, <br />Rabbit Park and Jeglens Marsh). One large tree will be purchased and used for a ceremonial <br />planting that same day in Central Park. <br />Recommendation: <br />Arbor Day Planting Event <br />By: Chris Anderson, Environmental Coordinator <br />CASE # 4 <br />Staff would encourage the Board to participate in the seedling planting and more importantly, <br />with the ceremonial planting in Central Park <br />EPB Action: <br />No formal action is necessary. This is for informational purposes. <br />EPB: 4/5/10 <br />