Tumwater schedules April 18 Arbor Day/Earth Day celebration; board seeks volunteers and kids' activities

The Tumwater Tree Board discussed logistics for a combined Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tumwater Historical Park and agreed to review an Arbor Day proclamation at the city’s April 21 regular meeting.

Staff said the board will give away 100 native plants at the event, provide vetted handouts and coordinate with the parks and city communications departments to publicize the celebration. “We will be giving away those 100 plants. We have the handouts,” the staff member said.

The board discussed who should receive the Arbor Day proclamation at the April 21 meeting and suggested candidates including a DNR representative; staff confirmed that Brian from DNR’s urban and community forestry program or city staff could present the proclamation.

Members discussed programming ideas for children — coloring materials, stickers, temporary tattoos and a story time — and noted that some previously-ordered materials were regionally mismatched; staff and DNR offered to help source age-appropriate, low-cost items. The board also agreed to publicize volunteer opportunities by email and to sign up for setup (9 a.m.) or volunteer shifts.

A suggestion that Tonya read Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax to children was put to the group but failed to receive a second; members nevertheless said they would pursue the idea informally and staff offered to arrange a children’s table and materials.

Staff said she will send a follow-up email with the proclamation draft, volunteer sign-up details and guidance on whether the event could generate a quorum under the Open Public Meetings Act and what that would mean for any discussion of official board business.