Several local communities, including Priest River, have been named as 2018 Arbor Day grant recipients by the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Lands, Avista, Rocky Mountain Power, and Idaho Power. The program helps communities celebrate Arbor Day, plant appropriate trees for energy conservation and fosters a stronger relationship between Idaho communities and the nursery and utility industries.

The association received 55 Arbor Day grant applications for 2018 and was able to fund them all!

An Arbor Day Grant of $300 will be given to the following local communities, in addition to others, for “planting Idaho”: Priest River, Sandpoint, Dover, and Bonners Ferry.

The celebration of Arbor Day represents a priceless opportunity for kids and adults alike to take positive action to make their world a better place and to learn about trees and the environment. The first celebration of Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872. Arbor Day is officially celebrated in the U.S. and Idaho on the last Friday in April (April 27 this year).

However, communities may be celebrating on a different day due to the climate and planting conditions in their area.