News Flash

Residents can learn about trees and even get a young tree or two to take home and plant if they come out this Saturday (April 8) to a special event at the Spring River Park and Zoo to recognize Arbor Day.

The event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. includes a tree giveaway. Tree seedlings will be offered free to adults (limit of two trees per person). The trees will be types that are well adapted to this area and usually do well in their growth in this region. These will include Afghan pine, lacebark elm, desert willow, lilac, bur oak and Arizona sycamore.

There will be a tree-planting demonstration and plenty of relative information available from the city Parks and Recreation Department, Keep Roswell Beautiful and a tree expert from Albuquerque. The Chaves County Extension Office will also have information about its Master Gardner program.

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 annually on the second Friday in March. This Saturday’s Roswell event was scheduled to take place between the state and national dates for Arbor Day.

Saturday’s zoo event, which will take place near the carousel, is sponsored by the Spring River Park and Zoo, the City of Roswell, Friends of the Roswell Zoo and Keep Roswell Beautiful.