Tuesday, December 3, 2013

CalFire Announces Arbor Week Poster Contest


  CalFire sent a press release out saying that "Trees are an essential part of California's climate and are vital to improving air quality and conserving water.

   To help educate Californians on the value that trees provide to building successful, healthy
cities and neighborhoods, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) and California ReLeaf are announcing the annual statewide Arbor Week poster contest for students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.

   Students are asked to create original artwork based on the theme "Trees make my Community Healthy".

   Submissions are due to California ReLeaf by February 14, 2014. Winners will be featured at the State Fair and awarded cash prizes provided by the California Community Forests Foundation.

   CalFire and California ReLeaf are partnering to incourage cities, nature groups, schools and youth organizations to celebrate California Arbor Week by planting trees in their communities.

   California ReLeaf is an allicance of community-based groups, indiciduals, businesses and government agencies working to protect the environment by planting and caring for trees and the state's urban and community forests.


   'Trees are essential to the overall health of our environment', said CalFire Deputy Director Duane Shintaku. 'Focused education for California's youth is one of the most effective ways we can increase awareness of the important roles trees play in California and the many benefits they provide to the communities in which we live.'

   The goals of Arbor Week include educating Californians about trees, encouraging tree planting, teaching elementary school schildren the environmental, social and exonomic benefits of trees, and protecting the state's valuable natural resources.

   'Trees make California's cities and towns healthier places to live', said Joe Liszewski, Executive Director of California ReLeaf.  'Children who have access to nature and green spaces to play and learn are more active, have lower incidences of obesity, concentrate better in school, and demonstrate healthier social behaviors. Planting and caring for trees means investing in a better future for California.'

   Contest rules, as well as educational materials related to the value of trees, community benefits of trees, jobs in the urban and community forestry field, and tree identification can be downloaded at www.arborweek.org/contests.  The contest is sponsored by California ReLeaf, CalFire and the California Community Forests Foundation.

  California Arbor Week runs March 7-14 every years to mark famed horticulturist Luther Burbank's birthday and to raise awareness of the benefits of trees in our communities.

   In 2011, legislation was passed to define California Arbor Week in statute. Visit www.arborweek.org for more information."
  


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