|
Sacramento – The California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and California ReLeaf welcome the support and sponsorship of Edison International, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), and Blue Shield of California to celebrate California Arbor Week, March 7-14, 2025.
This year Edison International and Pacific Gas and Electric Company collectively donated $115,000 for the Arbor Week and Growing Green Communities tree planting grants offered by California ReLeaf. This funding will support 23 grassroots urban forestry projects across the state. Blue Shield of California sponsored the Arbor Week Art Contest, coordinated by California ReLeaf in partnership with CAL FIRE, to engage youth about the importance of neighborhood trees in nurturing community health and connection through the many benefits trees provide.
"We are delighted and deeply grateful to partner with so many wonderful organizations to celebrate Arbor Week," said Cindy Blain, Executive Director of California ReLeaf. "It's incredibly inspiring to see how communities come together during Arbor Week and throughout the year to plant and nurture trees–recognizing the immense value of our urban forests and the wonderful possibilities when we work hand-in-hand to plant and nurture trees. Every year Arbor Week reminds us of the essential role trees play in nurturing community resilience, strengthening social bonds, and improving public health."
A press conference was held, Monday, March 10, 2025, at Rick Gonzales, Sr. Park in Woodland to officially launch the statewide celebration of California Arbor Week. During this event, the winners of California ReLeaf’s Tree Planting Grants, and the Youth Art Contest were announced. The Woodland Tree Foundation hosted the kickoff celebration, proudly highlighting their partnership with the City of Woodland and the Woodland Joint Unified School District. Together, they are working to increase tree canopy in the community, helping to address extreme heat and improve public health.
“Woodland has been celebrating Arbor Day since 1903, and we are a proud “City of Trees.” Trees are in our DNA. Historically, Woodland was created amongst a valley oak grove in 1861,” said David Wilkinson, Program Coordinator with Woodland Tree Foundation. “Community volunteers are looking forward to planting many more trees this year in partnership with the city during Woodland’s Arbor Day event on March 15th and with Woodland Joint Unified School District for the Cool Schools Yolo program this spring, which is sponsored by a CAL FIRE Green Schoolyards grant.”
With Edison International’s and Pacific Gas and Electric Company's sponsorships of California ReLeaf's two small grant programs, more than 20 nonprofits and community-based organizations are coordinating tree-planting events this spring. These community greening efforts across California aim to improve public health, mitigate extreme heat events, and educate the public about selecting the right tree for the right place and safe tree-planting practices.
“Edison International is proud to sponsor the Arbor Week tree planting grants for the seventh consecutive year, supporting grassroots efforts that bring environmental and public health benefits to neighborhoods that need them most,” said Elizabeth Seelman, Director of Corporate Affairs at Edison International, “Trees play a vital role in reducing the impacts of extreme heat, improving air quality and fostering vibrant public spaces where communities can thrive. By investing in urban forestry, we are investing in a more sustainable and equitable future for all Californians.”
“At PG&E, the safety of our customers and communities is our top priority,” said Joe Wilson, vice president of PG&E’s North Valley & Sierra Region. “Safe, healthy trees are one of the greatest gifts we can give future generations. It starts before we even put a shovel in the ground. Even small trees can grow tall or have large roots and pose a safety concern. When choosing plants, it's important to think about how tall they will grow so they don't touch the powerlines. We can all work together to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe.”
Blue Shield of California sponsored the California Arbor Week Youth Poster Contest to educate and inspire the next generation of tree champions on the importance of growing and protecting our urban forests for environmental, social, and public health benefits. This year’s theme, “Trees Root Our Community,” encouraged school children ages 5-12 to consider the many ways trees foster community cohesion and help improve public health. The contest winners were announced, and their artwork was unveiled during the press conference.
“Those of us in the healthcare field see firsthand how environmental factors affect people's health–whether through pollution, poor air quality, and most recently the devastating Southern California wildfires. We are all impacted by bad air,” said Dr. Jennifer Nuovo, chief medical officer for Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. “These impacts are further magnified for low-income communities, where pollution is often greater and access to mitigation measures–such as air purifiers or community green spaces–is more limited. Trees play a crucial role in public health and Blue Shield of California is proud to support the California Arbor Week Youth Artist Contest and Arbor Week event.”
California Arbor Week has the ongoing support of CAL FIRE, which actively promotes community tree planting in urban areas throughout California through grant funding, education, and technical expertise. With collaboration from numerous state and local partners, CAL FIRE’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is dedicated to expanding tree canopy coverage across the state.
“The statewide strategic plan to increase urban tree canopy cover is currently under development,” states Walter Passmore, State Urban Forester for CAL FIRE’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. “Successful implementation will rely on the collective resolve and action of government, organizations, and the people of California. The planting and care of trees provides benefits to all, which are increased when everyone does their part.”
| 
