Kindergarteners from Kemmerer Elementary School celebrated Kemmerer’s Arbor Day on Monday, May 8.
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Kindergarteners from Kemmerer Elementary School gathered at City Hall to plant a tree and celebrate Kemmerer’s Arbor Day on Monday, May 8.
Wyoming State Forester Barry Tye kicked off the celebration and taught the students about Arbor Day and how trees need good soil, water, and sunlight to survive.
“Kemmerer takes good care of their trees and makes sure they’re healthy,” Tye said.
Tye also explained the importance of planting trees now so that future generations can enjoy healthy parks and forests.
“One day when y’all’s kids are in kindergarten, you can bring them out here and show them how we planted this tree,” Tye said.
Tye mentioned the city’s long history with the holiday.
“Kemmerer has celebrated Arbor Day for fifteen years, so now the city gets a plaque and a flag declaring it a ‘Tree City,’” Tye said.
Tye and Kemmerer Parks Technician Matt Peavler unveiled the Tree City flag to show the students.
Peavler was the day’s hero when he asked the students, “Are you ready to get dirty?” Cue the cheers from five-year-old boys and girls who couldn’t wait to dig in the dirt.
All the students helped dig a hole and plant the tree inside – and not without a little dirt flying off the shovels.
Peavler said two more trees are being delivered to City Hall and will be planted soon.
City Administrator Andrew Nelson read a proclamation from mayor Anthony Tomasi declaring May 8th as Kemmerer’s Arbor Day. National Arbor Day is in April, but individual cities may decide when to celebrate on their own.
“It’s still a little too cold in April to bring the kids out here, so we usually wait until May,” Tye said.
After the tree planting ceremony, the students and their teachers played games, competed in an obstacle course and enjoyed cookies and juice.