The City of Prescott in partnership with the Economic Development Office (EDO) for Prescott/Nevada County is celebrating Prescott's Arbor Day today. Mayor Terry Oliver signed the proclamation designating today the local holiday, and urged citizens to celebrate Arbor Day, support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and plant trees to “gladden the heart and promote well-being of future generations.” (The full proclamation can be found below.)

Tara Carlton from EDO explained why this holiday was important for Prescott. "Arbor Day in Prescott is another way to spread awareness and also celebrate the importance of trees to our town," Carlton said. "Trees can improve air quality, help save in cooling costs, beautify our town, which also assists with property values, and more. Plus, trees are an essential part of the local economy with the logging industry in Nevada County."

This holiday was first observed in Nebraska in 1872 with the planting of more than a million trees and is now observed throughout the nation and the world. Research also indicates that the sight of trees can produce recovery from stress, indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension1.

Prescott’s commitment to effective urban forest management has resulted in the city being named a 2021 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree City USA program, in partnership with the U.S. National Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes those cities who have successfully formed a tree board or department, created a tree-care ordinance, had an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, said in a press release, “The trees being planted and cared for by Prescott ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life.”

EDO Director Mary Godwin said the new tree to be planted this year in honor of Arbor Day is a live oak donated by the Arkansas Forestry Service.