The Bismarck Forestry Division and Mayor Mike Seminary will host a community recognition program and ceremonial planting Friday, May 4, 2018, 1:30 PM, at Normandy Park, 3924 Normandy St., Bismarck. The public is welcome and invited to attend. The 2018 Arbor Day theme is: “Trees Make a World of Difference.”
Each year a ceremonial Arbor Day tree is dedicated to a local citizen whose efforts have made a significant contribution to Bismarck's urban forest. The 2018 ceremonial tree planting is dedicated to Steven M. Neu in recognition of his 23 years of service and dedication to future generations play as Director of the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District from 1987 to 2011.
The Arbor Day Ceremony will include Apple Seed Awards presented for 2017 landscape beautification efforts of public property, and a Beautification Award for 2017 landscape beautification efforts on private property. Partners in Planting sponsors, community minded organizations that have partnered with the City, provide funds for a matching grant to help homeowners plant street trees. They will also be recognized during the program.
Students from The Innovation School and fifth-grade students from Centennial Elementary School will take part in the Arbor Day ceremony.
The City of Bismarck will receive the 41st consecutive Tree City U.S.A. Award and national designation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
A tree planting will take place (weather permitting) at the close of the program.
The Arbor Day ceremony is supported by the contributions of numerous sponsors that include:
KLJ, Bismarck Mandan Elks Lodge 1199, Capital City Lions Club, Markwed Excavating, Bismarck-Mandan Garden Club, AE2S, A-1 Tree Service, Swenson, Hagen & Co., Northern Improvement Co., BNI Energy, Bismarck Sertoma Club, Sons of Norway, Central Dakota Optimist Club, and Outdoor Services, Inc.