Join the Arbor Day celebration on Capitol Campus April 12
OLYMPIA – The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) will plant a new tree on the Capitol Campus – a bur oak – during an Arbor Day celebration at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 12. The event is open to the public and will be held across the street from the General Administration Building on 11th Avenue Southwest.
Washington State Arbor Day is a holiday that lands on the second Wednesday in April. It's an observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planning and care.
About the event
Join Gov. Jay Inslee, DES Director Tara C. Smith and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz to celebrate this tree planter's holiday.
Children from two daycares serving state employees will share Arbor Day items and sing.
People are also invited to celebrate the tree planter's holiday by learning from conservation partners who will have displays and handouts, and to share their #CapitolCampus #ArborDay experience on social media.
Background
Since 2019, DES has planted over 200 new trees on the campus and is on track to reach 300. DES is proud that our state's Capitol Campus is now recognized as an accredited arboretum. It's a true #TreeCampus.
Much of West Capitol Campus is a National Historic District with landscape features originally designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers. The firm also designed New York City's Central Park and the grounds of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. In October 2022, DES received the Olmsted Honor Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society. This award called out DES' work to stay true to the original design intent of the Capitol Campus and integrate it into current grounds management practices.