City celebrates 10th Arbor Day

POULSBO — The sun refused to shine Saturday but that didn’t stop a handful of committed volunteers from celebrating Arbor Day in style.

Tree Board members Bill Lockard and Michael Tucker joined Parks and Recreation Director Mary McCluskey, Councilwoman Connie Lord, city arborist Kevin McFarland, Public Works foreman Joe Wilson and Gretchen Nicholas from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to plant five trees along Iverson Street.

“This is a different type of project than we’ve done in the past,” Lockard said.

Last year, the board planted trees in the Austurbruin neighborhood, but this year it chose to help Wilson complete his class project for the Community Tree Management Program through the Department of Natural Resources, he said.

“This may be our ninth Tree City USA award, but it’s our 10th Arbor Day celebration,” Lockard noted.

Since its inception in 1997, a public works employee has served as a liason between the city and the board and because of that relationship, the board helped send Walker to that class, he said.

“We’re proud of him and all the work he has done,” Lockard said of Walker, who will take an expanded role in the city’s urban forest management program.

Walker thanked the board and city officials for their decision to allow him to participate in the program.

“I’ve learned a lot and thank you for the opportunity to further my education,” Walker said, as Lockard handed him a congratulatory plaque.

With Walker’s successful completion of the course, the city now has someone who can handle the day-to-day situations that arise in the management of its trees, McCluskey said.

“Before, we just had Kevin (McFarland) and he’s in Olympia. Now we have someone right here,” McCluskey said.

Lord, who was filling in for Mayor Kathryn Quade, expressed her appreciation for the board’s work and Walker’s willingness to assume more responsibility.

“The Tree Board has done a tremendous amount of work and it has made a difference,” Lord said.

In addition to receiving its ninth consecutive Tree City USA award, Nicholas presented a growth award to the city as well in recognition of its continued efforts to improve its urban forest.

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