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Warren, PA \u2014\u00a0 The city of Warren is kicking off Arbor Day celebrations with a community effort centered on local students.<\/p>\n
Students from the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center joined city officials Tuesday, April 21st at Crescent Park to plant a tree ahead of Friday\u2019s Arbor Day proclamation and Tree City USA ceremony.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such a wonderful experience for these kids,\u201d said Melinda Johnson, executive director of the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center. \u201cIt\u2019s making them aware of their environment and community beautification. They asked so many questions today and were so excited to lend a hand planting the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hands-on event gave students a chance to learn about the importance of trees while contributing to a project that will benefit the community for years to come.<\/p>\n
Joe Reinke, the City of Warren\u2019s superintendent and arborist, said the annual tree planting has become a meaningful tradition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe past five or six years planting trees with the kids has been a lot of fun,\u201d Reinke said. \u201cMy kids have come through the Jefferson DeFrees Center, and I\u2019ve had the chance to plant trees with them, so that has been very special. Being the city arborist a fun part of my job, and one that I really enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n
City officials say efforts like this help maintain Warren\u2019s long-standing commitment to green spaces. The city has been recognized as a Tree City USA community for decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are one of the longest-running Tree City USA communities in Pennsylvania,\u201d Reinke said. \u201cThis year marks 38 years for us, so that\u2019s definitely something to be proud of. We take our urban forests pretty seriously here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The celebration will continue with the city hosting a Tree City USA Proclamation event on Friday, April 24th at 12:00PM at Crescent Park. Officials say the public is encouraged to attend.<\/p>\n