PROCLAMATION

• J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture in 1872 that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees.

• This holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska.

• Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world.

• Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, reduce heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide a habitat for wildlife.

• Trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products; and trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community; and trees are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.

• Ashland has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for nineteen years and desires to continue its tree-planting ways.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council and Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Ashland, hereby proclaim April 4 to April 10, 2004 as

ARBOR WEEK IN ASHLAND

and urge all citizens to support efforts to care for our trees and woodlands and to support our City's community forestry program. I further urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of present and future generations.

Dated this 6th day of April, 2004.

Barbara Christensen, City Recorder
Alan DeBoer, Mayor

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