Churchville-Riga celebrates Arbor Day

The Town of Riga and the Village of Churchville are sponsoring their 2nd Annual Joint Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, May 1. The event will feature activities, displays and fun for the entire family to celebrate our abundant natural resources.

Over a period of several days, trees will be planted throughout the community to celebrate this event, beginning on April 30 when Churchville Elementary School will plant a tree. The village will plant a gingko tree at 10:30 a.m. on May 1, at the village campus. In recognition of Arbor Day and the 80th Anniversary of the Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post #954, Waste Management will donate and plant an oak tree at the American Legion Home as soon as weather permits. The town will also plant oak seedlings donated by Waste Management. There will be a bio-engineering project at Churchville Park where Douglas Fir will be planted by Girl Scout Troop #958 and the Churchville Fire Department and its Explorer Post, with trees donated by Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Of special note among this year's displays will be the results of the survey conducted by the Joint Town/Village Comprehensive Plan Committee and a display featuring the revised Open Space Index which has been recently completed by Riga's Conservation Board. A recycling display will be provided by Monroe County Department of Environmental Services.

The Riga Department of Community Events and Recreation is sponsoring a coloring contest for ages 3 to 11. Entries will be displayed at the Riga Newman Library. Other events for children include a story hour, a book display at the library, and family walking tour of notable trees in the village.

A complete schedule of events is available at www.townofriga.org. In case of rain, the outdoor events will be moved to the Riga Town Hall.

Partners in this year's event include: Arbor Day Committee (joint town and village), Bergen Water Gardens, Churchville Elementary School, Churchville Volunteer Fire Department and Explorer Post, Girl Scout Troop #958, Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post & Auxiliary, Comprehensive Plan Committee (joint town and village), Monroe County Department of Environmental Services, Monroe County Parks, Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District, Riga Community Events and Recreation Department, Riga Conservation Board, Riga Newman Library, SCOR (Senior Citizens of Riga), Walk About Committee, Waste Management.