News Release: Celebrate National Arbor Day on the Capitol Campus

Join Gov. Jay Inslee, Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Chief Operations Officer Maurice Perigo and Natural Resource Specialist Zeima Kassahun at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, to celebrate this tree planter’s holiday. National Arbor Day is an observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planning and care. The event is open to the public and will be held near the WWII Memorial at 11th Ave. and Capitol Way.

Children from two daycares serving state employees will share Arbor Day items, recite a poem and sing.

People are also invited to celebrate the tree planter’s holiday by learning from conservation partners who will have displays and handouts, and to share their #CapitolCampus #ArborDay experience on social media.

DES staff will plant three new trees on the Capitol Campus during a the celebration. The trees – a pecan, Chinese pistachio and a sassafras – honor this year’s theme of tree diversity in an urban forest. In addition to planting the saplings, tree seeds that went into orbit on a Blue Origin space mission will be presented to the Governor.

Background

Since 2019, DES has planted over 200 new trees on the campus and is on track to reach 300 by the end of the year. DES is proud that our state’s Capitol Campus is now recognized as an accredited arboretum. It’s a true #TreeCampus.

Much of West Capitol Campus is a National Historic District with landscape features originally designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers. The firm also designed New York City’s Central Park and the grounds of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. In October 2022, DES received the Olmsted Honor Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society. This award called out DES’ work to stay true to the original design intent of the Capitol Campus and integrate it into current grounds management practices.