By Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Ayala
Living in Santa Clarita comes with the added benefit of beautiful scenery every time you step outside your front door. Whether you’re an avid hiker enjoying our miles of picturesque trails and paseos, a family spending the afternoon at one of our incredible parks or simply taking in the view on your daily drive, the natural beauty of our City is something we truly treasure. That is why I am so excited to invite you and your family to join us for our first-ever Tree-mendous Arbor Day, presented by West Coast Arborists, on Saturday, April 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Valencia Heritage Park (24155 Newhall Ranch Road).
This free, family-friendly event is a celebration of nature, community and stewardship. Tree-mendous Arbor Day, presented by West Coast Arborists, is designed to bring residents together for a day of hands-on learning, live demonstrations and meaningful ways to give back to the environment we all share. It is truly going to be unbe-leaf-able!
The event will kick off with a ceremonial tree planting led by members of the Santa Clarita City Council. Immediately following the ceremony, registered volunteers will plant 10 new trees throughout the park. These trees will grow alongside our City for generations to come, serving as a lasting reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together.
Did you know that our community is home to more than 95,000 trees that are cared for by our incredible Urban Forestry team? During Tree-mendous Arbor Day, Urban Forestry experts will be giving away 400 free trees and mulch while supplies last. Each resident will be guided through a consultation process to determine which tree is best suited for their home and yard. This thoughtful approach helps ensure that every tree planted today will thrive tomorrow.
If you are looking for something slightly smaller to take home, SCV Water will host an Adopt-a-Plant opportunity where you can meet a variety of plants, learn how to care for them and bring one home to grow with your family. And speaking of adoption, no great community event would be complete without the Castaic Animal Care Center! They will be on site with adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes.
If you appreciate art and creativity, you will not want to miss the live chainsaw carving demonstration by West Coast Arborists. Throughout the event, WCA’s very own “Big John” will transform a simple piece of wood into a stunning work of art, culminating in a grand reveal at the end of the celebration. Watching the carving take shape is truly mesmerizing and such a unique experience for families to enjoy together.
We are also proud to showcase something brand new for our City, our hydrogen-powered buses! These innovative buses release zero carbon emissions and offer a much longer range than fully electric buses. You will be able to see these buses up close and learn how they are helping us move toward a cleaner future. Santa Clarita Transit will also provide free parking and shuttle service to Tree-mendous from the Real Life Church parking lot (23841 Newhall Ranch Road), making it easy and convenient for everyone to attend!
During the event, families can participate in an up-close look at the tools used to maintain Santa Clarita’s tree canopy; explore the City’s Emergency Mobile Command Unit and see firsthand the innovative technology that helps keep our community safe; or have some fun with the Agents of Discovery and Pop Up and Play activities hosted by our Recreation staff. The Library Express will also be on site, offering tree-inspired crafts, book checkouts and Library card sign-ups.
Tree-mendous is truly a day rooted in community pride and environmental responsibility, so get ready to spend the day outdoors celebrating everything that makes Santa Clarita such a special place to call home. I cannot wait to see you there!
Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Ayala is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at payala@santaclarita.gov.
