April 22 through April 28, 2012: Arbor Week and Arbor DayWHEREAS, almost 140 years ago, Michigan native J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day, a day recognized nationwide as a time to enrich our country by planting and caring for trees; and,
WHEREAS, trees play a very important role in our environment as they help clean the air of pollutants, produce oxygen and provide shelter for wildlife; and,
WHEREAS, home to more than 100 species of trees, Michigan has a 3.8 million acre state forest system, the largest in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, during Arbor Week and on Arbor Day, we encourage Michigan citizens of all ages to celebrate our state's natural environment and to plant a tree;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim Sunday, April 22 through Saturday, April 28, 2012 as Arbor Week, and Friday, April 27, 2012 as Arbor Day in Michigan.