As the autumn chill sets in, Chandler is beckoning its community outdoors to celebrate greenery and growth, but not during the season you might expect. The city's annual Arbor Day festivities are slated for November 2, a nod to the unique planting season that desert climates dictate. Chandler's Urban Forester Ryan McCartney underscored the timing, "Nationally, Arbor Day is recognized in April in conjunction with Earth Day," he said, but April’s blaze doesn’t bode well for the botanicals in Arizona, according to an announcement from the City of Chandler.
Inviting enthusiasts and families alike, the Celebration of Arbor Day will transform Desert Breeze Park into an arboreal arena from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., featuring teachings on tree planting, live tree climbing shows, and vendors to explore. Chandler’s Mayor Kevin Hartke will also be in attendance to speak about the leafy subjects and if you're a resident with ID in tow, you might just score a complimentary five-gallon native tree to enhance your own landscape—while supplies last, so get there early before the supply runs out just like the hot Arizona sun beats down mercilessly on the unprotected soil in the high noon of summer.
The initiative isn't simply about handing out trees and calling it a day; it's about laying the roots for a greener future. "Our urban forest is extremely important to our community’s vitality," McCartney elaborated, with ambitions to not only educate but connect with residents, hoping to sprout a lush canopy across Chandler for generations to relish, according to the same City of Chandler release.
Desert Breeze Park, located at 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd., will be the backdrop for this environmental engagement all set to leaf an impression on the citizens of Chandler, everyone interested should visit the Chandler Arbor Day event page for details, because who doesn't want a free tree seriously everyone loves a free giveaway especially when it's something that lasts for years and gives back to the planet, it's a win-win situation in the truest sense. So mark your calendars, bring out the gardening gloves, and prepare to dig in.
