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Recommendation to designate April 25, 2008, as "Arbor Day" in the City of Long Beach to encourage residents and businesses to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect and preserve the City's Urban Forest. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
National Arbor Day is a special day dedicated to tree planting and increasing awareness of the importance of trees. The City of Long Beach has recognized that the benefits provided by the urban forest along its streets and in its parks are critical to maintaining a healthy city. Designating this day will encourage all citizens to celebrate and support efforts to protect our trees and urban forest.
In the City of Long Beach there are over 330,000 trees managed by Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Community Development and the Port of Long Beach, for the safety, beautification and as a source of pride for our residents and visitors. In partnership with the community and the volunteers of the City's Tree Committee, the City will continue to work together to build a relationship to protect our urban forest.
Trees play an important role in creating livable places, by providing aesthetic, environmental and economic benefits to our community. Trees help buffer noise, and mitigate environmental contaminants that result from air pollution. They slow down, filter and clean storm water, and reduce energy consumption in both winter and summer. Economic studies have shown that a healthy tree canopy can increase property values.
For Long Beach residents and property owners, Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on their property and plan for the future; inspect trees and think about planting new trees that may improve the look of the property and provide wind and heat protection; and take a trip to a local nursery to see what is available and get new ideas or tour the neighborhood for any public areas where tree planting or tree maintenance might make a real difference to the community.
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