The City of Lake Charles and Friends of Tuten Park are sponsoring an Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, March 12, 2016 from 9 a.m. to noon, at Tuten Park, 3801 Nelson Rd.

Over a dozen organizations will be present, offering demonstrations, activities and information to the public related to Arbor Day and the environment.  Bare-root, seedling native trees donated by the Coastal Plain Conservancy will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Other organizations that will be represented include local conservation organizations, garden clubs, and area student organizations.

Arbor Day has been celebrated annually at Tuten Park since it reopened to the public in 2012.  Arbor Day was founded to celebrate planting trees and the ecosystem services that trees provide to communities.  Trees reduce the energy used to cool our homes in the summer, increase the value of our homes, reduce the impact of storm water, and provide habitat for wildlife.

Tuten Park was donated to the city to be a bird, native flower, and tree sanctuary for the enjoyment and education of the area youth. The public is encouraged to attend this free event, which is open to all ages, to learn about conservation efforts across Southwest Louisiana, and plant a free tree at home. 

Learn more information about the park at the Tuten Park website: www.cityoflakecharles.com/tutenpark. Like and follow the Friends of Tuten Park on Facebook to keep up to date with this and future events: facebook.com/friendsoftutenpark.

For more information and/or reserve a display table/exhibit, call (337) 491-9199.

About Friends of Tuten Park.

Friends of Tuten Park consists of private citizens committed to the mission and support of Tuten Park.  The Friends of Tuten Park strive to restore and preserve habitat for wildlife, provide interpretive and educational programs to the community, and create support in the extended community for conservation opportunities. Any interested person, organization, or school who supports the mission of the Friends of Tuten Park is encouraged to join.