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Webster Groves commission finalizes Arbor Day plans, chooses poetry contest judges and publicity approach
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Summary
Commission members confirmed a May Arbor Day schedule, said they received 21 poetry submissions, and agreed to invite the winning poet to read. Members also discussed flyer distribution, calendar posting, volunteer arrival times and QR‑code signups for related initiatives.
The Webster Groves Sustainability Commission confirmed final logistics for its Arbor Day celebration and described how it will publicize the event to residents.
The commission set the event to begin at 5:30 p.m. with volunteers asked to arrive by 5:15 and said the program will include a tree story and a poetry reading. "We had a very, very good response — 21 submissions, a variety of ages," the Chair said, noting a three-person panel (two arts-commission members, a Webster Arts representative and the Chair) will meet Wednesday to select the poetry winner and that the winner will be invited to read at Arbor Day.
Why it matters: Arbor Day is a primary outreach moment for the commission, combining volunteer recruitment, public education and community partnerships. Members discussed a multi-channel publicity plan — city website calendar entries, social media posts, flyers at community locations and possible Instagram coverage by the city’s public information staff — to maximize attendance and recruit volunteers for related programs such as 'Green Our City.'
Members agreed to host the event at Blackburn Park with a prearranged tree-planting near the pavilion; holes will be pre-dug, and the planting will be followed by the program. To reach residents signing up for related initiatives, the group asked city staff to explore QR-code flyers and an event page; the Chair asked staff to follow up with Jordan, the public-information manager, about producing a QR code or handout for attendees.
Logistics and follow-ups included finalizing the poetry winner and deciding whether to publish the winning poem in print or on the city’s website; one member urged a compromise of printing the winner and posting all other entries online. The commission also confirmed it will provide light snacks for volunteers and has ordered the giveaway saplings that are due to arrive the week of the meeting.
The commission closed the discussion by reminding volunteers to arrive early for setup and to help direct residents to free trees and snack stations. No formal votes were taken; the Chair said staff will circulate the finalized schedule and publicity materials ahead of the event.
