"Trees make our homes more valuable. Trees make our businesses more successful. Trees make our cities more livable". John Rosenow, President, National Arbor Day Foundation

More than one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day in 1892. Founder, J. Sterling Morton, an ardent and early proponent of forestation, served as U. S. Secretary of Agriculture under Buffalo native, President Grover Cleveland. He settled in the Nebraska Territory and urged Nebraska to set aside one day a year for the planting of trees. April 22, Morton's birthday, now Earth Day, was a public holiday in Nebraska for several years before the first national Arbor Day was proclaimed. Arbor Day is now celebrated the fourth Friday in April. Since its conception millions of seedlings have been given out by the Arbor Day Foundation and millions of trees planted nationwide.

The Arbor Day Foundation is building a greenhouse that will produce over 25 million trees and teach more than 2 million school children and visitors annually about tree care and the benefits of trees. In addition, an adjacent golf course is being constructed for training managers and golf professionals, featuring drought-resistant grasses and turf that needs little water or pest control chemicals.

East Aurora plants its way to Tree City USA

Arbor Day--Tree City USA ceremonies were held at Parkdale Elementary School in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The ceremonies marked the culmination of Earth Week and include the planting of trees at the Elementary and High School. Beauty and shade from these trees now enhance the schools grounds. The Village of East Aurora was presented the designation and flag, Tree City USA, first in 1999 by DEC forester, Dave Paradowski.

Three crimson king maples, a golden crabapple and three autumn purple ash trees have been planted at Parkdale School; two red oaks and two sugar maples have been planted at the High School. Donations were made by Auroragreen Lawn and Garden, Masterson's Garden Center, East Aurora Garden Club and NYSEG. Students Jenna LeBlanc and Rebecca Wolchok contributed their trees won from their artwork selected for Erie County Environmental Education Institute's Earth Day tee-shirt contest in 1999.

Erie County Legislator Fred Marshall, Village Mayor John Pagliaccio, Aurora Town Supervisor Bill Green and School Superintendent Dr. Howard Smith all proclaimed Arbor Day tree planting day April 1999. Each year dignitaries proclaim Arbor Day and the entire student body participates in special music, songs and poems along with tree-planting.

Residents are invited to annual ceremonies designed to instill stewardship

Trees shade and cool our homes, bring songbirds close by, mark the changing seasons. Kids can climb them or build a tree house in their branches. For all of us, trees are a source of lumber, food, and countless products--and they beautify our communities and countryside.

But equally important, trees conserve energy, reduce soil erosion, clean the air we breathe and help protect rivers and streams.

"If trees are to provide all these benefits, we need to care for the trees we have and to plant more. Planting and caring for trees is something each of us can do to improve our community and the environment." John Rosenow, President, National Arbor Day Foundation.

The East Aurora Tree Board, the East Aurora Garden Club, Rotary Club International, the League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara, the East Aurora Educational Foundation and East Aurora schools and PTO's have all attended Arbor Day ceremonies to encourage planting and stewardship of trees.