Gov. Brown Proclaims March 7 Arbor Day
Sacramento, CA — Even as the state continues to struggle under lingering drought conditions, Gov. Jerry Brown calls on Californians to preserve trees for future generations.
Today, while issuing a proclamation declaring March 7, 2016 as Arbor Day in California, Brown suggests that residents might honor the occasion by planting drought-tolerant trees and learning how to steward their growth in ways that also conserve water.
The text of the Governor’s Proclamation follows here…
Gold, Green
Let it be
On a day in March
California;
When the grass is green
On the rolling hills
And the snow
Is deep in the mountains –
Let it be
On a day like this
That we plant a tree
California
For the years to come
For the little ones
and the lakes
Will be pure in the mountains –
Let it be gold and green
California;
That we touch the ground
That we heal the land
From the mountains to the sea.
—Gary Snyder
This poem was written in honor of Arbor Day which has traditionally been set aside as a day designated for the planting of trees. Trees provide shelter for us and for birds and wildlife. They give us shade and conserve our soil. We harvest fruit from trees and at the same time enjoy their beauty.
I hereby proclaim March 7th as Arbor Day in order that all Californians may be reminded of the multitude of benefits we reap daily from this precious resource. I hope the day will be dedicated to the planting of trees not only for the benefit of this generation but as our gift to posterity.
NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 7, 2012 as Arbor Day.
The Governor’s Office additionally shared helpful state resource links relating to tree selection here and drought-time tree care here.
