Nebraska City, Neb.--The First Arbor Day Celebration of the City of DeKalb, Illinois, will receive one of three 1999 Arbor Day Celebration Awards from The National Arbor Day Foundation at a special awards ceremony to be held here on Saturday, May 1. The award honors school, community, and state programs that best represent the spirit of the tree planters' holiday.
DeKalb's First Arbor Day Celebration is being recognized for its school and community involvement, and for city-wide free tree planting and distribution. Area students and Girl Scout groups planted hundreds of small trees, and volunteers helped give away more than 28,000 free trees. The two-day event also featured special readings and presentations, as well as addresses by the mayor and other community leaders.
Organizers of DeKalb's celebration will attend the 27th annual National Arbor Day Foundation Awards banquet to receive the award. The ceremony is part of the Arbor Day weekend celebration held in Nebraska City from April 30-May 2.
Others being honored this year include Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, winner of the J. Sterling Morton Award for his leadership in revitalizing Chicago's urban forest.
The National Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit education organization dedicated to tree planting and environmental stewardship.