City celebrates Arbor Day at West Park Elementary

A commemorative bur oak tree was planted at West Park Elementary on Wednesday in recognition of Arbor Day.

Deputy Mayor Ken Johnston was joined by Ann the Alder Tree in giving seedlings to about 100 Grade one students as part of province-wide Arbor Day festivities. Each year, The City of Red Deer plants about 300 trees and gives out about 21,000 seedlings to various community groups.

Arbor Day is celebrated in several countries to encourage the planting and care of trees. In Red Deer this year, over 1,500 Grade Ones will receive a white spruce seedling, which they are encouraged to plant at home or in a natural area in Red Deer.

Each Arbor Day, a local school is picked as the location in which a tree is planted.