Meet with committee chairs to coordinate/identify efforts.
Begin public fundraising events.
Ask the newspaper to publish a small article listing committee members and chairs as well as some of the planned activities.
Confirm dates and times with officials, entertainment, speakers, etc.
Meet with schools to coordinate efforts to include students in the tree planting ceremony.
Meet with a city forester, tree board or horticulturist to identify the tree needs within the community and how to help meet them with the Arbor Day celebration.
Discuss tree needs with a nursery and place an advance order for trees you’d like to plant during the ceremony.
Solicit volunteers for the event.
1 Months Out
Plan tree planting ceremonies with school and community officials.
Continue with fundraising events.
Write the program for the event.
Identify additional financial needs and fundraising possibilities.
Ask city officials to schedule a proclamation signing the week before Arbor Day.
Confirm the tree order and delivery schedule with nursery.
Arrange for someone to dig the hole and correctly plant the tree and provide follow-up care.
Call your local utility company to ensure that it’s safe to dig.
2–3 Weeks Out
Schedule a committee chair meeting to make sure every committee is successfully completing assigned activities.
Determine the status of funds and make plans accordingly.
Reconfirm with outside participants.
Schedule a press conference and press release for the week of Arbor Day.
Distribute flyers and posters with the celebration’s scheduled activities.
Assign volunteers any last-minute job assignments.
Day of the Celebration
Plant trees.
Enjoy the event!
Post-Event Follow-Up
Pay bills and make arrangements for all remaining financial obligations.
Write thank you notes to all who participated in an official role.
Check on tree care committees to make sure they have what they need to follow up.
Hold an assessment meeting with committee chairs to determine what went well and how things could be improved next year.
