Plant yourself in Newport

Free trees and free learning, will once again be a part of the Newport Parks and Recreation Department’s Arbor Day event. Held at the Newport Recreation Center this Saturday, April 29, the day will incorporate partner organizations and include children’s activities.

“We have such a great conservation community on the Central Coast,” Recreation Program Specialist Jenni Remillard said. “We wanted to reach out to other organizations who are working towards education and planting.”

Partner organizations include the MidCoast Watersheds Council, Yakona Nature Preserve and Learning Center, the Newport Public Library and the Oregon Hatchery Research Center. There will also be a representative from the City of Newport available for questions about trees within the city. Updated tree manuals will be available. The library will have a limited seed giveaway and fun activities for all ages and abilities. Free western red cedar seedlings will be available while supplies last.

“Efforts like our Arbor Day Celebration, with the community tree giveaways, are beneficial for all of us and for Newport’s community health,” Parks and Recreation Director Mike Cavanaugh said. “Through events like this, the public has the chance to learn about the importance of an urban forest. Enhancing and protecting Newport’s urban forest is a key component to the city’s efforts to mitigate climate change locally.”

Newport has been recognized as a Tree City since 2011. Started in 1976, Tree City USA is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs. Nationwide, there are 3,676 recognized cities, including nearly 70 in Oregon.

Saturday’s event will run from noon to 3 pm at the Newport Recreation Center, located at 225 SE Avery Street. For more information, go to newportoregon.gov.