Mesquite to host Arbor Day event on Nov. 1

Keep Mesquite Beautiful, Inc. (KMB) will host a public Arbor Day event to celebrate the importance of trees.

The event will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 at Range Elementary School and will feature a performance by the Range Elementary Choir, guest speakers, a poetry reading and tree planting. Free tree saplings will be given away to attendees while supplies last.

"We are excited to celebrate Texas Arbor Day by renewing our commitment to care for the world around us," said KMB Executive Director Jonathan Chitty. "In Mesquite, we understand that we're not simply planting trees - we're making our community a cleaner, greener place, one tree at a time. We're making an investment in the future and adding to the quality of life for our residents for generations to come."

Founded in 1872, National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, but Texas and many other states observe Arbor Day at times in the year that better coincide with the local area's ideal time to plant trees. The first Texas Arbor Day was celebrated in 1889.

In the spring, the City of Mesquite was named as a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 34^th consecutive year. Mesquite has planted more than 31,000 trees throughout the community since the City developed its Urban Forestry Program in 1988.

The annual Arbor Day gathering is one of the events and projects KMB hosts throughout the year to engage and educate residents to recycle, reduce litter and beautify Mesquite.

KMB's upcoming events for the fall include Mesquite Recycles Day on Nov. 2 at Poteet High School. This community event offers an opportunity to recycle various items from cell phones, batteries, toys, clothes, household items, computers and more. Find out more at www.cityofmesquite.com/MesquiteRecyclesDay.

For information about KMB's other programs and events and to become a member, visit www.keepmesquitebeautiful.org.