FARMINGTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin once again has proclaimed April “Arbor Month” in West Virginia, and is encouraging communities, organizations and schools throughout the Mountain State to recognize the important roles trees play in daily life.
“West Virginia’s healthy forests improve the quality of life for all the state’s residents,” Manchin said. “Our trees provide clean air and water, scenic beauty and wildlife habitat, as well as important forest products and employment for thousands of West Virginians.”
Manchin encourages people throughout the state to actively participate in tree-planting projects, such as Mountaineer Treeways, a program that solicits volunteers to plant tree seedlings on public property.
West Virginia’s Arbor Day is set for April 10 this year, but Arbor Day celebrations and tree plantings are scheduled throughout the month in communities across the state. Some of the participating communities include Bath, Bluefield, Charles Town, Elkins, Follansbee, Harpers Ferry, Hinton, Lewisburg, Moorefield, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Petersburg, Ronceverte, Summersville and Williamstown.
National Arbor Day is the last Friday of April (April 24 this year). Many states observe Arbor Day on different dates according to the best tree-planting times.
For more information about Arbor Day, Arbor Month and the Mountaineer Treeways program, contact Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator Bob Hannah at (304) 825-6983 or visit the Division of Forestry’s Web site, www.wvforestry.com.