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St. Michael's students participate in City's Arbor Day program
St. Michael’s Elementary School students participated in the City of Hastings Arbor Day program, which included the planting of two trees next to the school’s garden on Friday, April 26.
City Tree Board member Joe Kindig, who owns the Pine Patch Tree Farm and provided the trees, suggested the collaboration with Hastings Catholic Schools. Funds for both of the trees were donated by Hastings Sunrise Rotary.
Kindig and City of Hastings Parks and Recreation staff members planted a Swamp White Oak and a Catalpa tree between the school garden and playground.
During the Arbor Day program, Hastings City Councilman Marc Rowan, the council’s Tree Board liaison read a city proclamation for Arbor Day.
St. Michael’s fourth grader Lillian Barnhill read about the history of Arbor Day.
Fifth grader MaCoy Soucie read information about the value of trees.
Fourth grader Madden Meyer read Arbor Day poems.
Ron Seymour, a Nebraska Extension Educator in Adams County, spoke about the different parts of a tree and how kinds of trees look different from each other.
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hassenstab introduced members of the City Tree Board and shared different traits of Swamp White Oak and Catalpa trees.
This year marks the 34th year that Hastings is a Tree City community. To receive Tree City recognition, a community must meet four standards:
- Maintain a tree board or department
- Have a community tree ordinance
- Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
- Celebrate Arbor Day
Published Date: 04/26/2024