Glendale students will plant trees for Arbor Day

The city of Glendale will host an Arbor Day celebration to teach local schoolchildren about the importance of trees and their roots in our community.

The event is at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 26 at Sunset Ridge Park, 8595 W. Missouri Ave.

Sunset Ridge Elementary School fourth and fifth-grade students will plant trees and engage in other activities as they learn about the critical role trees play in Glendale and throughout the world.

Mayor Jerry Weiers will present a proclamation at the event and council member Joyce Clark of the Yucca District will present a commemorative plaque to Sunset Ridge Elementary School. Refreshments will be provided by the GFWC Glendale Woman's Club.

Country singer Kacey Musgraves and Desert Diamond Arena have also partnered to donate four of the 10 trees to be planted at Sunset Ridge Park. Musgraves’ Deeper Well World Tour will make a stop in Glendale at Desert Diamond Arena on Friday, Sept. 27. Tickets are available at AXS.com .

This is the 29 ^th consecutive year that the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Glendale as a “Tree City USA.” The Arbor Day Foundation sponsors this national program to help communities manage and expand their public tree programs.

More than 3,600 communities are part of the movement from all 50 states, along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Trees have many benefits, including:

• They help absorb the sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40%.
• They reduce energy costs by up to 25% by shading buildings and protecting them from winter winds.
• Neighborhoods with trees are seven to nine degrees cooler than those without.
• Planting and maintaining trees absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change.
• Green space plays a major role in improving mental and physical health.

For information about the Arbor Day Foundation, visit www.arborday.org .