Houston volunteers will work today with the City of Houston and other organizations to plant 1,000 native trees in Montie Beach Park, 915 Northwood Street.
The City of Houston provides the following information:
City of Houston's 36th Annual Arbor Day Celebration set for Montie Beach Park
Apache Corporation, Texas A&M Forest Service, & the Compean Group partner in celebration.
Mayor Sylvester Turner, Apache Corporation, Texas A&M Forest Service, the Compean Group, and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) will join volunteers from across the City for the 36th Annual Arbor Day tree planting celebration. The event will take place on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Montie Beach Park, 915 Northwood Street. Following a ceremony, partners and volunteers will plant 1,000 native trees throughout the park.
“As an official Tree City USA, Houston recognizes the important role trees play in making our communities more sustainable and resilient,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Our tree canopy beautifies our City’s landscape and helps fight climate change, improves our air quality, cleans our drinking water, and helps reduce stress. Arbor Day is a unique opportunity for Houstonians to come together to celebrate the many benefits of trees. I look forward to joining partners and volunteers this weekend for the 36th Annual Arbor Day celebration at Montie Beach Park.”
The National Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters, recognizes the City’s commitment to its urban forest with the official designation of Houston as a Tree City USA. This is the 36th consecutive year Houston has earned the distinguished honor.
“When we add more trees to the City’s landscape, we improve the quality of life for all of us,” said Kenneth Allen, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “It is critically important that trees and the health benefits that go along with them be experienced by as many communities as possible in our city. We believe in tree equity in Houston and the Arbor Day celebration is one way we lead the effort to make it a reality. Thank you to all of our partners on this shared goal.”
Apache Corporation has been an active partner of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and its Urban Forestry program since 2007. The company is committed to helping to improve Houston’s tree canopy.
“Apache is honored to participate in this year’s Arbor Day Celebration and donate trees to Montie Beach Park this planting season,” said Apache Corporation President and CEO John J. Christmann IV. “We would like to extend our thanks to the City of Houston for their partnership as we work to make our community a more sustainable, beautiful place. Together, we are committed to leaving a legacy of conservation and growth that will last for generations to come.”
The Compean Group is another partner on the reforestation project. The company understands the connection between a greener Houston and better health and mental well-being. In 2021, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, with partners’ assistance, planted 21,726 trees on public property. HPARD thanks all its partners for their assistance and support of the City’s urban forest. Volunteers for Houston’s 36th Annual Arbor Day celebration must have registered prior to the event. For more information about the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.houstonparks.org.
photo: Getty Images