Tempe Mayor Declares April As 'Arbor Month'

TEMPE, AZ —The 150th anniversary of Arbor Day is scheduled for April 29, and on Wednesday, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods proclaimed April as Arbor Month in the city.

In a proclamation, Woods touted the numerous benefits of trees and encouraged all Tempe residents to participate in the planting and caring for trees throughout the community.

"Trees and green space provide important environmental, economic and social health benefits to the community," Woods said.

In a news release, the city offered several specific reasons why trees are so valuable.

"Trees play a pivotal role in the health of the environment and community members, helping to reduce pollution, sequester carbon and slow down storm runoff, which reduces soil erosion," the city wrote.

"(Trees) also provide much-needed shade during those hot summer days. Well-maintained trees and landscapes can increase property values, and the health benefits can improve air quality, reduce stress and enhance community pride. Providing wildlife habitat in our urban areas is beneficial toward maintaining a sustainable ecosystem," according to the city.

Woods also highlighted the city's aggressive tree-planting goals in the proclamation

"Tempe is making huge strides to capture (the) benefits (of trees) through the 2017 Urban Forest Master Plan and 2019 Climate Action Plan, both of which provide a clear path forward to reach the city's tree canopy goals."

In March, the Tempe City Council also approved a Climate Action Plan Update.

According to the city, Tempe plans to increase its citywide tree and shade canopy from 11.4 percent to 25 percent by 2040.

This is why the city is encouraging planting on public and private properties.

According to the city, Tempe's staff maintains more than 26,000 trees on city property. The city also offers Tempe residents up to 50-percent off tree purchases as part of its Cost Match Tree Program.

To illustrate the benefits of additional trees in Tempe and indicate areas of need, the city maintains the Tree Benefit Dashboard and the Tree Canopy Map.