Archived News Release from 2003

For Immediate Release

Redwood City, CA - February 25, 2003 - Redwood City has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation – the twenty-second year Redwood City has received this national distinction. With National Arbor Day on April 25 and California Arbor Day on March 7, Redwood City will celebrating its status as an official “Tree City USA” by co-sponsoring a tree-planting in honor of Redwood City resident Jeffrey Filippi. This will be a redwood tree planted in Red Morton Park. This year’s event marks Redwood City’s 102nd annual Arbor Day celebration, a remarkable record of longevity, and will take place at the Veteran’s Memorial Senior Center on Saturday, March 1 beginning at 2:00 pm. The event is co-sponsored by the Native Daughters of the Golden West.

During the event, Mr. Filippi will be honored for his contributions to the Redwood City community, including his volunteer work with Redwood City’s "'Tis the Season" holiday celebration, his work on the Civic Cultural Commission, and his commitment to helping strengthen music programs at local schools and to rebuilding the hall at Sequoia High School. Following the tree planting ceremony and recognition of Mr. Filippi, refreshments will be served.

Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1874 as a means of encouraging the planting of trees in the ‘new’ territories not only for their aesthetic value but also as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials, and for shade from the hot sun. Since then, Arbor Day has spread to other states and even beyond the United States, and is observed in many countries throughout the world as a celebration of trees and the unique and important role they play in our ecosystems and our lives.

The Native Daughters of the Golden West, consisting of native-born Californians, works to improve the lives of people throughout our state, working on restoration of the California Missions and doing other philanthropic work, including co-sponsoring Arbor Day and thereby helping Redwood City to achieve the status of "Tree City". To become a "Tree City USA" a community must meet four standards: a tree board or department; a tree care ordinance; a comprehensive community forestry program; and an Arbor Day observance. Redwood City has continually met these criteria, and is appreciative of this recognition of its efforts.

Visit Redwood City's website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, City government, and local business. Redwood City news releases are also available online, at www.redwoodcity.org/news.

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Contact: Pauline “Pina” Truscelli
Chairperson, RWC Arbor Day
650-780-7338 or 368-1642