The city of Goodyear and Mayor Joe Pizzillo kicked off arbor day Thursday by planting three elm trees at Estrella Vista South Park.

Along with city officials, Desert Star Elementary School students spoke about the importance of trees in their city.

“The reason we celebrate Arbor Day is because we want to keep the trees alive and help the environment,” said fifth grader Jayden Russell. “Desert Star would like to thank Mayor Pizzillo and the city of Goodyear Parks and Recreation for the opportunity to be involved in the Arbor Day festivities.”

Russell was selected to speak as a leader and member of the National Elementary Honor Society at Desert Star Elementary.

The students participated in a poem contest about why they believe trees are essential. The winning contestant, fourth grader Hazel Laureano, read her poem ‘Keep Going’ during the celebrations.

“Two trees, two leaves,” she read. “That's what happens when we our kill trees. Every day we display our harmful ways in treating our trees like they are weeds. Chopping and chopping them down to the ground. One by one, they come tumbling down. We mourn our trees and their leaves as they give us breath to breathe. Keep our trees healthy and we will stay wealthy, we will live a long life so will the bees that live in the trees. I love spring when the trees turn green and keep our air fresh and clean. But it looks fast because it won't last. We must change the ways of our trees and take care of them with ease. We are kids of hope. We accomplish great things. We are big dreamers but also achievers.”

Later Mayor Joe Pizzillo proclaimed April 27 2023, arbor day in Goodyear.

In 2021, Goodyear celebrated being named a Tree City USA city by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

As a requirement of the designation, Goodyear must maintain four standards, including designating a board or department to oversee the care and maintenance of trees, enacting a tree care ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on a community forestry program, and celebrating the benefit of trees with an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Goodyear Parks and Recreation Right of Way Superintendent Wayne Smith, who spearheaded the city’s effort to join the Tree City USA ranks, estimates that parks and right of way staff and contractors maintain between 11,000 and 14,000 trees in city parks, at city facilities and along city streets.

Michael McDaniel can be reached at mmcdaniel@iniusa.org. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.