Contact Information:                                                                                               

Rachael Wood                                                                                                                       

Michigan Arbor Day Alliance                                                                  

551 Courthouse Dr., Ste. 3 Charlotte, MI 48813  

Phone: (517) 543-5848 x 5               

Email: miarborday@gmail.com

Website: www.miarbordayalliance.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On or after 4-26-10 

Arbor Day at Potter Park

            LANSING –Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is once again hosting the State Arbor Day Celebration at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.  The event will take place Friday, April 30^th from 10am to 2pm.  Over 1200 second and third graders with teachers and chaperones are expected to attend.  Volunteers from Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Consumers Energy, City of Lansing-Forestry Department, Lansing Board of Water and Light and numerous environmental education groups will make the event a success.  Sheri Jones from WLNS News will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the noontime tree planting ceremony.  The ceremony will include presentation of awards, a juggler, and the planting of a London Plane donated by Ayles Tree Service.

            In addition to the event at Potter Park, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance has partnered with Michigan State Federal Credit Union to plant 200 trees in the Greater Lansing Area. Residents can get involved with the tree planting effort by participating in the Go Green Challenge. Visit our website to learn more about the Go Green Challenge, www.miarbordayalliance.com.

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.  Michigan has been celebrating Arbor Day since 1885.

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!