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Oklahoma
Forestry Services is gearing up for Arbor Week with a kickoff celebration for
communities, universities and utility companies that have committed to properly
managing their public trees and by launching a tree tag campaign?? to
showcase the benefits of trees.

A luncheon and
tree planting was hosted by Oklahoma Forestry Services and Oklahoma Urban and
Community Forestry Council on March 16 in Oklahoma City to recognize 24
communities that have earned ???Tree Cities USA??? designation, five utility companies
that have ???Tree Line USA??? designations and six colleges and universities across
the state that have achieved ???Tree Campus USA??? designations. These
organizations earned their titles by demonstrating commitment to tree care
standards and best practices determined by the Arbor Day Foundation.

???It's so
exciting to see communities, schools and utility companies in our state work
hard to care for trees and improve their environments,??? said George Geissler,
Oklahoma State Forester. ???We celebrate their commitment and hope they serve as
an inspiration for others.???

Also
recognized at the celebration were the finalists of the third, fourth and fifth
grade Arbor Week Poster Contest. Finalists included first place winner, Chloe
Kasterke, North Rock Creek School in Shawnee; second place winner, Artiol Seji,
Whitebead Elementary in Pauls Valley and third place winner, Brandon Fuentes,
Taft Elementary in Enid.

In addition to
being honored, each organization was provided tree tags to hang on trees in
their areas during Oklahoma's Arbor Week, March 20 ??" 26. The colorful tags are
being hung on trees to bring attention to the many benefits that trees provide
beyond beautification, including clean air, water quality, energy savings and
financial benefits. The public will be able to see the tags on trees at the
Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City and are encouraged to look for them
in Tree City USA communities and Tree Campus USA campuses across the state.

???We encourage
everyone to find a way to celebrate Arbor Week,??? said Jim Reese, Oklahoma
Secretary of Agriculture. ???Whether it's getting involved in a community project
or simply planting a tree in your own yard, Arbor Week is the perfect time to
take that step.???

Join us by
celebrating Arbor Week and sharing your story on social media using the hashtag
#OKArborDay.

For more
information about Oklahoma's Arbor Week or to print tree tags, visit www.forestry.ok.gov. For information
about becoming a Tree City USA, Tree Line USA or Tree Campus USA, visit www.arborday.org.