Spring events honor the natural world

The city of Arlington will be joined by the Arlington Garden Club and local grower, Mark Lovejoy and the Downtown Arlington Business Association at the annual Arbor Day celebration from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 12 in Jensen Park, at 7801 Jensen Park Lane.

In honor of Arbor Day in this Tree City U.S.A., Mayor Margaret Larson will make a formal proclamation on the importance of trees in Arlington at 11 a.m.

Then participants will have an opportunity to help plant trees in the park and along Kruger Creek.

The Arlington Garden Club will hold its Green Thumb Workshop in the park during the event for the occasion, from 10 – 11 a.m. A member of the club, Master Gardener Bea Randall will present three 20-minute talks:

n How to get along with pesky backyard varmints.

n Growing better apples in Arlington.

n Tales of tall trees in the Stillaguamish Valley.

For information about the Arlington Garden Club see the Web site at www.arlingtongardenclub.org.

A local produce grower, Mark Lovejoy, of Garden Treasures, will also add an extra dimension to the Arbor Day Celebration with his “Watch it Grow” project for kids. He will provide little pots, dirt and a seed, and the kids will plant the seed and take it home to watch it grow — just one of many fun activities for kids. Free tree seedlings will be distributed.

For information call 360-403-3448.

Earth Walk Adventure

in Marysville

On the next Saturday, April 19, a family-friendly event features water-themed exhibits and hands-on activities for young stewards, at Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville.

Young stewards will learn how water quality affects aquatic animals like salmon and stream bugs. This event is free to the public, and all are welcome. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about:

n Preventing water pollution.

n Where your rainwater goes.

n The Great Marsh Restoration project, at the Snohomish River estuary, and other local estuary and stream enhancement projects.

n Learn what is being done for salmon in the Snohomish River watershed and see live salmon.

n Native plants used in restoration and control strategies for invasive plants.

n Learn how to keep the forests and Puget Sound healthy.

n Find out about efforts to restore Snohomish County marine shoreline, promote Dungeness crab stewardship, and protect marine water quality.

n Tours of the Marysville Wastewater Treatment Plant start at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

Earth-friendly prizes will be available for families that visit all the booths. Light refreshments will also be provided.

For information call Adam Bailey at the city of Marysville, 360-363-8283 or e-mail to him at abailey@ci.marysville.wa.us.