Vancouver celebrates Arbor Month and 36th year as a Tree City USA
March 27, 2025
Vancouver’s recognition of Arbor Month in April will include an Arbor Day celebration and tree planting at the Jane Weber Evergreen Arboretum, a presentation of the Gordon and Sylvia MacWilliams Evergreen Award, a display at Cascade Park Community Library and pop-up arboretums at Arnada Park and Clearmeadows Park.
Vancouver is being honored as Tree City USA for the 36th consecutive year by the National Arbor Day Foundation. “This continued acknowledgment shows our commitment to ongoing community programs for planting and properly caring for trees,” said Vancouver Urban Forester Charles Ray. “As a regional climate leader, we support improving the health of our natural systems, increasing our community’s tree canopy and enhancing our quality of life.”
Community members are invited to an Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday, April 9. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Jane Weber Evergreen Arboretum, 9215 S.E. Evergreen Hwy, with a recognition ceremony, including the Gordon and Sylvia MacWilliams Evergreen Award presentation and Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle accepting the Tree City USA award. Participants are then invited to join a service project to plant the Arbor Day tree and co-plant pollinator plants at the arboretum until about 12:30 p.m.
An exhibit at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 N.E. 136th Ave., and two pop-up arboretums at Arnada Park and Clearmeadows Park are available during April to enhance the celebration of trees and share the importance of a healthy canopy. Community members can hone their tree identification skills and learn fun tree facts through these displays.
Vancouver’s urban forestry proactively manages Vancouver’s tree canopy. In February, teams started to canvas areas scheduled for future pavement work to evaluate existing street tree health and identify where new trees could be planted. In March, additional survey work continued to evaluate and map all trees and available planting sites in right-of-way and city parks. This tree and planting site information will guide tree canopy management, reduce risk and prepare Vancouver for possible threats to the state’s urban forest.
Learn more about our urban forestry programs, volunteer tree planting opportunities or Arbor Month activities by visiting www.cityofvancouver.us/trees or calling 360-487-8332.
Media contacts:
Jessica George, Urban Forestry Outreach Coordinator, 360-487-8308, jessica.george@cityofvancouver.us
Nicole Walters, Strategic Communications Manager, Public Works, 360-852-1484, nicole.walters@cityofvancouver.us