ENCINITAS — The city honored Arbor Day with the celebratory planting of 50 native trees on April 22 at Leucadia Oaks Park.
The annual event, hosted by the Urban Forest Advisory Committee in partnership with SDG&E, Dudek, Davey Tree Services, and West Coast Arborists, is part of the city’s decade-long commitment as a designated Tree City USA community.
As part of its designation, the city must also maintain a municipal tree board or department, adopt a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrate Arbor Day.
Last year, the city planted 264 trees. So far this year, the city has sown 100 saplings, including the 50 from Saturday’s event.
On Saturday, Mayor Tony Kranz, Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes, Councilmember Bruce Ehlers, city arborist Chris Kallstrand and Francine Busby, a representative from state Sen. Catherine Blakespear’s office, welcomed residents and volunteers at the event before planting the dedication tree.
Several members spoke about plans to grow the city’s urban forest and the development of a habitat stewardship program to preserve native trees on public and private land. As of March, Encinitas became a certified bee-friendly city by joining Xerxes Society’s nationwide Bee City USA initiative to protect local bees and build a rich environment for pollinators to repopulate.
Thanks to West Coast Arborist, volunteers were able to help plant trees around the park. Residents could also visit various informational vendors, including the city’s zero waste, sustainability and stormwater programs.
In addition to the city booths, representatives from SDG&E, Davey Tree Service, West Coast Arborists, and Produce Good shared information with the community to help expand its urban forest and stay on the path toward a sustainable future.