The City of Auburn cordially invites the public to attend the City’s Arbor Day celebration at 10 a.m. April 20 at Veterans Memorial Park, 411 E St. NE.

City officials, along with volunteers from the Auburn Garden Club, the Chinook District of Garden Clubs, Auburn Tree Board, Auburn Park Board and representatives from the state Department of Natural Resources will be planting a Katsura tree as part of the commemoration

The Auburn Garden Club and the Chinook District of Garden Clubs donated the tree.

Mayor Pete Lewis also will proclaim April 20 as Arbor Day in Auburn and encourages citizens to support the efforts to protect trees and woodlands, and plant trees for generations to enjoy.

Auburn is recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA, which recognizes communities that effectively manage their urban forest and meet four standards.

The standards including having a tree governing body; maintaining a comprehensive community forestry program that spends at least $2 per capita on the urban forest; maintaining a tree care ordinance; and holding an annual celebration related to Arbor Day.

A member of the Statewide Washington Community Forestry Council will be on hand during the celebration to acknowledge Auburn’s designation as a “Tree City USA.”

As part of Auburn’s Tree City USA designation, the City of Auburn Planning Department manages community grants that encourages citizens to apply for tree plantings in residential and commercial neighborhoods. In exchange for financial assistance, groups must commit to plant, water and maintain the trees.

For additional information about tree grants, call the planning department at 253-931-3090.

In 2011, Arbor Day will be celebrating its 139th anniversary.

For more information about Arbor Day or planting trees, call 253-931-3043.