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Agenda Item No. 4(B) CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO ARBOR WEEK PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Arbor Day was initiated in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton who proposed that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees and said “Other holidays focus upon the past; Arbor Day focuses on the future;” and WHEREAS, Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska and is now observed throughout the world; and WHEREAS, in California, Arbor Day is observed as part of California Arbor Week starting on the birthday of Luther Burbank, a famed California horticulturalist who produced hundreds of plants and trees that have contributed to the natural splendor and food production in our state; and WHEREAS, trees are valuable economic assets that help maintain or increase property values and attract businesses and new residents in urban areas; and WHEREAS, trees planted in urban areas play a significant role in meeting the State’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and the City’s Climate Action Plan by sequestering carbon as well as reducing energy consumption; and WHEREAS, trees directly contribute to improving air quality by reducing air pollution, removing airborne particulates from the atmosphere, and helping to purify the air; and WHEREAS, trees play a significant role in maintaining water resources by reducing surface runoff, preserving water quality, and protecting urban water resources; and WHEREAS, trees provide essential habitats for much of California’s wildlife, including many listed, threatened, and endangered species; and WHEREAS, trees enhance the aesthetic quality of life in urban communities by providing a natural buffer for surface noise and natural recreational resource for California’s children and at-risk youth. NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of El Cerrito does hereby proclaim March 7 through March 14 of each year as El Cerrito Arbor Week, and urges all residents to observe and celebrate the week by planting and caring for trees for the City’s benefit and for the benefit of future generations. Dated: March 4, 2014 Janet Abelson, Mayor