Lakewood's commitment to its urban forest was on full display during an Arbor Day celebration, which showcased the planting of 500 new trees throughout the city's parks in 2024. The May 1 event at O'Kane Park featured members of local scout troops and city officials, including Ward 2 City Council Member Isabel Cruz, who emphasized the essential role trees play within our communities, according to the City of Lakewood.
Notably, Mary Danser from the Colorado State Forest Service contributed insights on environmental care while local scouts engaged in planting trees, thus marking a tangible step towards Lakewood's ongoing role as a Tree City USA, a title the city has maintained for more than four decades. This tradition reflects a broader commitment that involves not only annual celebrations and environmental stewardship but also a required investment in urban forestry, which "Arbor Day in Lakewood gives us a fantastic opportunity to connect with our scouts. Planting trees together isn't just about adding to our city's tree canopy; it's a hands-on lesson in the importance of our environment and how we can all play a part in caring for our habitat," Shardlow explained during the celebration.
Smokey Bear added to the event's significance, blending environmental education with a touch of familiar warmth to the young volunteers' efforts. To maintain the Tree City USA designation, communities must meet standards like having a tree board or department, enacting a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and formally celebrating Arbor Day, a push that is critically underscored by climate concerns and local ecosystem health.
The city's proactive tree planting initiatives, echoed by the Arbor Day festivities, also inch Lakewood closer to securing the Tree City USA Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation, this accolade recognizes municipalities that demonstrate an enhanced commitment to tree care and community involvement, Setting a benchmark for communities nationwide to follow suit, strives to mirror Lakewood's exemplar blueprint for sustainable urban planning, and environmental conscientiousness.
