Mississippi’s Arbor Day is February 10

Citizens across Mississippi will celebrate the state’s official Arbor Day on February 10, 2006. The theme this year is “ReLeaf Mississippi,” with special recognition to the tree recovery efforts in the counties hard hit by Hurricane Katrina.

“Arbor Day is one day out of the year dedicated to recognizing the importance of trees to our quality of life,” said interim State Forester Everard Baker of the Mississippi Forestry Commission. “Trees and healthy forests provide clean water, clean air, healthy habitats for wildlife, great recreation for people, and the forest products we need, whether it’s wood for our homes, or paper for books used to educate our children.”

A special one-hour Arbor Day ceremony at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson will start at 10 a.m., February 10, with a tree planting ceremony following the indoor program. Highlights of the program include the reading of Governor Barbour’s Mississippi Arbor Day proclamation, comments about the importance of trees from Lt. Governor Amy Tuck and other dignitaries, special singing, and an “A, B, C’s of Trees” presentation by students from Clinton Park Elementary. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this special event.

In addition to Arbor Day, many Mississippians will also celebrate Tree Planting Week from February 10 to 17, 2006. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, in cooperation with the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Mississippi Forestry Commission, and other conservation agencies and organizations, will distribute tree seedlings to the public and conduct tree planting programs at schools.

For information about Arbor Day and Tree Planting Week activities, contact the local office of the county Soil and Water Conservation District, MSU Cooperative Extension Service, Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, or the Mississippi Forestry Commission.