Media Contacts: Karyn Le Blanc, (202) 727-1751; John Lisle, (202) 671-2004
(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Urban Forestry Administration (UFA), Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Webb/Wheatley Elementary School and the Department of Parks and Recreation will celebrate Arbor Day planting new trees, educating students through activities and games, and highlighting the important role trees play in the overall health of the planet. This year’s celebration will take place from 12:30 – 2:30pm at the Trinidad Community Center, 1310 Childress Street, NE in Ward 5.
The afternoon will start with an outdoor assembly led by faculty and students from Webb/Wheatley Elementary School. DDOT UFA will present Pepco utility forester Nathan McElroy with the 2008 TreeLine USA award from the Arbor Day Foundation. The celebration will continue with tree and environmental activities for each class including a scavenger hunt and 11 tree plantings. There are 11 new trees being planted and one ceremonial tree, a Red Oak Tree – Quercus Rubra. A schedule for the dedication ceremony follows.
Agenda:
| 12:00 – 12:30 pm |
|
Check-In and Registration at the front entrance of the school |
| 12:30 – 1:00 pm |
|
Arbor Day Assembly: Outdoor assembly led by the school – a song, dance and a poem will be presented by different groups of students on the importance of trees. Principal Cartland will host remarks by dignitaries about Arbor Day. DDOT UFA will present the city’s Arbor Day Proclamation followed by the dedication of the ceremonial tree. |
| 1:00 – 2:30 pm |
|
Tree plantings and Activity Stations: PreK-5th grades will participate in Arbor Day activity stations that promote environmental and community stewardship while 6th and 7th graders will plant 11 new trees on Trinidad Community Center grounds. |