The City of Turlock has a long tradition of celebrating Arbor Day — over 27 years — and on Wednesday Students in Dennis Earl Elementary’s after-school program worked alongside Turlock Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities employees to plant trees in honor of National Arbor Day.

Arbor Day is an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. As a formal holiday, it was first observed in 1872, in Nebraska. By 1920, more than 45 states and territorial possessions were celebrating Arbor Day. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.