Submitted by The Town of Friday Harbor

The Town of Friday Harbor and supporting organizations are excited to host a community Arbor Day Celebration on April 25 from 3-5 at Brickworks. This celebration takes place on National Arbor Day and marks the Town’s eighth year of being recognized as Tree City USA. Join us as we celebrate urban forestry!

This fun and informative afternoon features amazing keynote speakers with info about urban forestry, tree planting, and keeping our island safe from fires. Take part in a tree and plant giveaway, cool tree crafts, and a chance to win great raffle prizes like home gardening supplies and native plant seeds!

After Brickworks, the event continues with an interpretive walk at the Land Bank’s Beaverton Marsh Preserve Redtail Trail (accessed from Linde Park). Join us for a native tree identification walk to learn more about trees found on the island.

Meet Scott Baker

Keynote Speaker Scott Baker is a Registered Consulting Arborist, Board Certified Master Arborist, Founder of Tree Solutions Inc., Honorary Life Member International Society of Arboriculture, and member of the Ancient Forest Society. Scott will share the history of the island forests, ecosystems, shifts through time, will discuss urban forestry, and tree science that will help you when choosing species and proper planting.

Mayor Ray Jackson will also be issuing the following proclamation:

WHEREAS, Arbor Day was first observed in 1872 with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska and is now observed throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, the Town is honored and enthusiastic to be recognized for its 8th year as Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and desires to continue urban forestry best practices; and

WHEREAS, trees can be a solution to combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing life-giving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife; and

WHEREAS, trees are a valuable and precious renewable resource; and

WHEREAS, essentially, urban forests are vital for building resilient thriving urban ecosystems, and

WHEREAS, trees enhance the Town’s economic vitality while beautifying our community; and

WHEREAS, trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Raymont C. Jackson, Mayor of the Town of Friday Harbor, do hereby proclaim,

Friday, April 25, 2025 Arbor Day

and, I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and learn about urban forestry, and

FURTHER, I urge all citizens to promote and practice Firewise methods to support our urban forests, native trees, native plants, and woodlands for the well-being of this community now and for future generations.