Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued a proclamation declaring March 7, 2015, as Arbor Day in the State of California.

This year, we celebrate Arbor Day as the state confronts one of the most severe droughts on record. In the spirit of preserving trees for future generations, Californians are advised to honor this occasion by planting drought-tolerant trees and learning best practices in caring for trees during a water shortage. Information about tree selection can be found here and a guide to helping trees survive the drought can be found here.

The text of the proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION

Gold, Green

Let it be
On a day in March
California;
When the grass is green
On the rolling hills
And the snow
Is deep in the mountains -

Let it be
On a day like this
That we plant a tree
California
For the years to come
For the little ones
and the lakes
Will be pure in the mountains -

Let it be gold and green
California;
That we touch the ground
That we heal the land
From the mountains to the sea.

--Gary Snyder

This poem was written in 1978 in honor of Arbor Day which has traditionally been set aside as a day designated for the planting of trees. Trees provide shelter for us and for birds and wildlife. They give us shade and conserve our soil. We harvest fruit from trees and at the same time enjoy their beauty.

I hereby proclaim March 7th as Arbor Day in order that all Californians may be reminded of the multitude of benefits we reap daily from this precious resource. I hope the day will be dedicated to the planting of trees not only for the benefit of this generation but as our gift to posterity.

NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 7 2015, as "Arbor Day."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 5th day of March 2015.



___________________________________
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California


ATTEST:



__________________________________
ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State