Council issues Arbor Day and Dark Sky proclamations; city highlights Idaho Gives and senior services

Coeur d’Alene — The April 15 Coeur d’Alene City Council meeting included proclamations and community updates: Arbor Day and International Dark Sky Week were proclaimed; planners and volunteers outlined Arbor Day activities and seedling giveaways; dark‑sky advocates described ecological and human health impacts of light pollution; Idaho Gives Week organizers reviewed statewide giving results; and Lake City Center presented annual senior‑service statistics and a fundraising event.

Highlights - Arbor Day: Nick Goodwin (city tree program) said Coeur d’Alene is a Tree City USA for 41 years and received a growth award; the city planted 324 public trees in the prior year, removed 82 and pruned 793. Arbor Day activities will include a planting at Persons Field on April 25 and a seedling giveaway; the Arbor Day Association of North Idaho asked for volunteers to bag 2,500 seedlings for local fourth‑grade giveaways. - Dark Sky Week: Mayor proclaimed April 21–28 International Dark Sky Week. James Fillmore (dark‑sky advocate) described impacts of sky glow and high‑color‑temperature LED lighting on wildlife and human health and urged softer, lower‑kelvin lighting and shielded fixtures to reduce glare and ecological harm. - Idaho Gives Week: Sarah Lynch, regional liaison, summarized 2024 statewide results (about 13,600 donors raised roughly $4.3 million for 600+ nonprofits). Idaho Gives Week runs April 28–May 1; a kickoff information fair was scheduled for April 28. - Lake City Center senior services: Nancy Phillips, executive director, reported the center delivered over 43,000 home‑delivered meals in 2024 to residents across six neighboring towns, provided more than 3,000 congregate meals at the center and recorded 4,600 volunteer hours. The center announced a fundraising gala “Roaring in the Funds” May 3; funds support the home‑delivered meals program.

No formal council votes were needed for the proclamations or presentations. Council members thanked staff and volunteers and encouraged public participation in Arbor Day and Idaho Gives events.

Speakers - Nick Goodwin, City tree program - James Fillmore, dark sky advocate - Sarah Lynch, Idaho Gives regional liaison - Nancy Phillips, Lake City Center executive director

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