Submitted by the Town of Friday Harbor.

The Town of Friday Harbor and supporting organizations are excited to host a community Arbor Day Celebration at Brickworks on April 25 with event programming planned from 3-6 p.m. This celebration takes place on National Arbor Day and marks the Town’s eighth year of being recognized as part of Tree City USA.

Residents are invited to join in on the fun for this enjoyable and educational afternoon featuring inspiring keynote speakers discussing urban forestry, tree planting and fire safety measures for our island. This year’s theme focuses on urban forestry. Keynote speaker Scott Baker is a registered consulting arborist, board-certified master arborist, founder of Tree Solutions Inc., an Honorary Life Member of the International Society of Arboriculture and a member of the Ancient Forest Society. Baker is an expert in the field and will share the history of the island forests and ecosystems, and about the forestry shifts through time. Baker will discuss urban forestry, selecting native tree species and tips for proper planting.

Schedule of events:

3 p.m. – Welcome by the Town of Friday Harbor.

3:05 p.m. – “Street Trees” Town Public Works director.

3:10 p.m. – Wildfire Ready Neighbors by Fire District No. 3.

3:30 p.m. – Keynote speaker, Scott Baker.

3-5 p.m. Visit community vendor booths and participate in Island Rec activities for families and kids.

5:15-6 p.m. Native tree interpretive walk (accessed from Linde Park).

The Arbor Day celebration will feature a native tree and plant giveaway, cool tree crafts and a chance to win great prizes like home gardening supplies, arborist tools and native plant seeds in a raffle! This event is proudly sponsored by the Town of Friday Harbor, Tree City U.S.A., the Department of Natural Resources, San Juan Island Fire District No. 3, San Juan County Land Bank, the Salish Seed Project, Island Rec, San Juan Island Conservation District, Browne’s Garden Center, Friends of the San Juans, Rainshadow Consulting, Wildwood Alliance and Wilde Steading.

Information can be found on the Town’s website: www.fridayharbor.org. For more information please contact: Town of Friday Harbor, Attention: Jennifer Krembs, 60 Second St. S., P.O. Box 219, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or clerk@fridayharbor.org.