DNR to kick off Arbor Day celebrations at Potter Park Zoo on Friday; statewide events continue through weekend

Contact: Kevin Sayers, 517-241-4632 or Ed Golder, 517-335-3014

Agency: Natural Resources

April 24, 2013

On Friday, April 26, more than 1,100 second- and third-grade students from 18 pre-selected mid-Michigan schools will attend the State Arbor Day Celebration at Lansing's Potter Park Zoo.

Staff and volunteers from the following sponsoring organizations will partner to make this year's event a success: Michigan Arbor Day Alliance, Eaton Conservation District, Department of Natural Resources, Consumers Energy, City of Lansing Forestry and Public Service Department, Lansing Board of Water and Light, International Transmission Company and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union.

Students attending the celebration will have an opportunity to enjoy a series of hands-on activity stations that focus on trees, water, wildlife and related ecosystems. A noontime ceremony will include a presentation of awards, entertainment by Wil Reding, the Rambling Naturalist, and planting of the state Arbor Day tree (donated by Ayles Tree Service of Potterville).

"Tree planting is a simple, yet important thing to do to help improve and restore our communities and the environment," said Kevin Sayers, coordinator of the DNR's Urban Forestry program. "Arbor Day is the holiday that recognizes the importance of trees in our lives and it's a great opportunity to get people of all ages involved in something that has a lasting, positive impact."

In addition to this event, the DNR will be celebrating Arbor Day with a variety of family-friendly, educational programs throughout the state the weekend of April 26 and 27. For more information about these events, visit www.michigan.gov/arborday.

For more information about the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance, the State Arbor Day Celebration, how to be selected for the 2014 celebration or other events around the state, please contact Jennifer Hunnell, state Arbor Day coordinator, at 517-543-5848, ext. 5, or visit www.miarbordayalliance.com.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.