News Flash

The City of Roswell’s Keep Roswell Beautiful program will help local residents celebrate Arbor Day by again handing out tree and shrub seedlings for citizens who wish to plant them in their yards or other properties.

The Arbor Day Seedling Giveaway is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Spring River Zoo Park (1306 E. College Blvd.). This is a free event that will offer seedlings on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The tree and shrub types being given away, as well as the number of seedlings offered per person, will vary based on the available supply. The seedlings are types that are well adapted to this area and usually do well in this region.

Those attending the event will also receive a reusable car trash container provided by the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Toss No Mas program, a box of LED light bulbs donated by Xcel Energy, and a Keep Roswell Beautiful reusable shopping tote. The totes and seedlings are funded in part by the New Mexico Department of Tourism’s Clean and Beautiful Grant Program. 

Volunteers are needed from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. the day of the event to help set up, assist during the event and pack up afterward. Anyone interested in volunteering, or wishing to find out more about the seedling giveaway, can call Kathy Lay at 575-500-0395. 

National Arbor Day is the last Friday of April each year, but each state celebrates it on a day of its choosing. In New Mexico, it is officially recognized on the second Friday in March. The Roswell event is annually scheduled to take place between the state and national dates for Arbor Day.

A seedling-planting demonstration video (produced in 2001) can be found here.