The City of Bozeman’s Forestry Division will host a public tree-planting event on April 24 as part of its annual Arbor Day celebration, according to an announcement made on Apr. 22. The event, organized in partnership with the Gallatin Watershed Council and supported by volunteers, will take place at two parks near the intersection of Laurel Parkway and Annie Street starting at noon.
The celebration is intended to engage residents in urban forestry efforts and encourage community participation. This year marks Bozeman’s 32nd consecutive year as a Tree City USA, an honor that requires cities to meet standards such as maintaining a tree board or department, enacting a community tree ordinance, allocating at least $2 per capita for urban forestry, and officially celebrating Arbor Day.
Forestry Division Manager Alex Nordquest said, “This year’s Arbor Day kicks off a heightened year of public engagement for us, as we’re not only offering volunteer events, but looking for input on our new Urban Forest Management Plan. This planning effort will involve several public meetings and we’re eager to hear from our community on all things trees.”
During the recent City Commission meeting, officials proclaimed April 24 as Arbor Day in Bozeman. The proclamation stated: “Trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community; and trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.”
The event is also part of Branch Out Bozeman (BOB), a joint initiative between the Forestry Division and Gallatin Watershed Council aimed at improving Bozeman’s tree canopy through plantings that address water quality issues, social equity concerns, and urban heat islands. Additional plantings are planned throughout the year. More information about volunteering can be found at https://www.branchoutbozeman.org.
Further details about the Forestry Division are available at https://www.bozeman.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/forestry.
