PRESS RELEASE

Contact Information:                                                                               Phone: (517) 543-5848 x 5

Rachael Wood                                                                                          Email: miarborday@yahoo.com

Michigan Arbor Day Alliance                                                                   Website:   www.miarborday.citymax.com

551 Courthouse Dr., Ste. 3 Charlotte, MI 48813                                Sent: 4-20-09           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On or after 4-20-09

Lansing Businesses Team Up to Celebrate Arbor Day

LANSING – The following downtown Lansing businesses have teamed up with Michigan Arbor Day Alliance to celebrate Arbor Day: Capitol Convenience, Downtown Subs & Salads/New York Burrito, Soup to Nutz Bistro and Spotted Dog Café.  The businesses have chosen to provide their customers with Arbor Day education materials, display a Celebration Poster, provide free seedlings on Arbor Day and challenge their customers to donate a dollar in support of Michigan Arbor Day Alliance.  This is the first year Michigan Arbor Day Alliance has partnered with local businesses to raise awareness about the environment.  Michigan Arbor Day Alliance would like to thank all those who participated for their support.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872.  J. Sterling Morton, a pioneer and journalist championed the idea of a "tree planting" holiday in the Nebraska Territory.  In the 1800's, the plains had been cleared for building materials, fuel and farming.  It is estimated that Nebraskans planted over 1 million trees that first Arbor Day.  In 1885, the Michigan Legislature resolved "that the Governor is hereby requested to call the attention of the people of the state to the importance of planting trees for ornament and by naming a day upon which the work shall be given special attention to be known as Arbor Day." Each year the Governor and Michigan Legislature proclaim the last week in April as Arbor Week and Arbor Day as the last Friday of that week.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance (MADA) is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan.  Our dedication comes from our belief in the importance of trees and their role in community health and well-being.  Since 1993, MADA has provided educational programs and services to Michigan communities.

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A BIG Thank You to all our partners and sponsors who make the State Arbor Day Celebration a success: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Eaton Conservation District, ITC, DTE Energy Foundation, MSU Federal Credit Union, Ingham County Parks & Rec., Potter Park Zoo, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Ayles Tree Service, Forestry & Public Service-City of Lansing, Consumers Energy, Lansing Board of Water & Light, Van Pines Nursery, Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association and Walmart.

We would also like to thank all the volunteer presenters and their organizations for making the State Arbor Day Celebration a wonderful event!

Thank You to our Go Green Youth Challenge Sponsors!