It's Arbor Day!

Before there was Earth Day, there was (and still is) Arbor Day. Founded by noted agriculturalist and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Julius Sterling Morton, Arbor Day originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska on April 10, 1872, when an estimated one million trees were planted. The day itself was first observed three years later. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in the state of Nebraska, and April 22nd, Morton's birthday, was selected as the date for its permanent observance. (Source: The Arbor Day Foundation).

The curret national holiday for Arbor Day is celebrated every year on the last Friday in April. Arbor Day is also celebrated throughout the world on different dates.

If you don't have a front/backyard where to plant trees (or yours is already at capacity) but would like to get involved in tree planting & cleaning activities, and you live in the Los Angeles area, check out Guidance Green eco-partner Tree Musketeers, the nation’s first youth environmental organization dedicated, at http://www.treemusketeers.org.

To learn more about Arbor Day, visit The Arbor Day Foundation website at http://www.arborday.org.

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Alejandra Espinosa
Guidance Green

Saving the planet one tree at a time!

Guidance Green to attend Tree Care Event on July 19

Want to have a great time while doing a great thing? Then join Tree Musketeers and Guidance Green on Saturday, July 19th, 2008 for a morning of fun and tree caring.

Here are the details:

• Who: Everyone is invited to join us for some fun in the sun!
  
  
• When: Saturday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. to Noon.
  
  
• Where: 600 West Grand Ave., El Segundo, CA 90245. From the Marina, take Culver to Vista del Mar and make a left on Grand at El Segundo Beach. Look for the Tree Musketeers pick-up truck on the North side of Grand, on the South border of the power plant.
  
  
• Parking: Park in the inlets on Grand. Carpool if you can, because parking is limited. Otherwise, the closest parking is on Loma Vista, farther North on Grand.
  
  
• What to bring: Tree Musketeers will provide all needed tools, gloves and water. Make sure to wear sunscreen and dress appropriately.
  
  
• What to Expect: We will weed, mulch, prune, water the trees and pick up litter.
  
  
• What if I'm not a tree-hugger: Rest assure, at no time we will ask you to hug a tree! But if living in a healthy planet is as important to you as it is to us, then feel free to join us.
  
  
  

See you on July 19th!

Guidance Green

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About Tree Musketeers

Founded in 1987 by a Brownie Girl Scout troop as the nation's first youth environmental organization, Tree Musketeers (http://www.treemusketeers.org/) continues to expand the vision of its founders, while operating as a nonprofit where kids are the decision makers. The mission of the El Segundo-based organization is to empower young people to be leaders of environmental and social change in the Earth's communities, with kids teaching other kids to become active citizens and community leaders.

Oak Woodland Restoration at Malibu Creek State Park

Guidance employees teamed up with Culver City
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in November to plant
Oak trees and native grasses and to pull mustard plant
weeds at Malibu Creek State Park. We drove through
burn areas but were happy to discover that the park itself
was spared in the recent wildfires. Oak Woodland Restoration
volunteers provided all the tools and instructions.

Oak Woodland Restoration volunteer, Jo, demonstrates
native grass planting techniques.

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts work side by side with
Guidance volunteers.

The Guidance Green Team

Nothing satisfies like a good dibble!

Jon tries his hand, or foot, at dibbling while son, Alex,
admires his technique.

Alex gets to the root of the mustard plant problem.

Steven between two freshly planted Oaks. Job well done
Everyone!