The public is invited to an Arbor Day and Earth Day Celebration at 1:15pm on April 28. City of Monroe Mayor, Geoffrey Thomas, will host a tree planting ceremony at Lake Tye Park to recognize the importance of preserving our natural resources. Two Fifth Grade Classes from Fryelands Elementary School will assist in the planting of a tree, donated by a group of gardening friends in honor of Monroe Garden Club.
Imagine Monroe aspires that the City of Monroe is and will continue to be a “lively center surrounded by nature…. A place of beauty…” where our “parks, waterways, and environment are health and accessible for everyone to enjoy….” where “we strengthen connections through gathering spaces” that create “a safe place for all” to call home and to belong. The City of Monroe recognizes the benefits of its urban forests for improving air and water quality, providing vegetative buffers to development, producing habitat for wildlife, and generally enhancing the quality of life.
Monroe Park Board initiated a Heritage Tree Program to increase public awareness and appreciation of Monroe’s heritage and Pacific Northwest character. In 2018, Mayor Thomas initiated a Living Christmas Tree Program to offer the opportunity for residents to donate their used, living Christmas trees for planting in Monroe’s parks and open spaces. The Arbor Day Foundation recognized the City of Monroe as a Tree City USA in 2019, and this will be the fifth consecutive year the City of Monroe has been recognized as a Tree City USA. In addition, in 2021, the Arbor Day Foundation awarded the City of Monroe a Tree City USA Growth Award.