Students plant trees for Arbor Day
Mayor Tim Rud proclaimed Friday, May 3, 2013 as Arbor Day in Lonsdale, as part of the city's Tree City USA status. As they've done in the past, Arbor Day Chair Micki Ziskovsky and City Planner Benjamin Baker organized an event at the Lonsdale Elementary School, donating trees to be planted at the school by the fourth graders. The event included a brief history of the city's commitment to being a Tree City, and an informative discussion with Ashley Tabery, a technician from the Rice County Soil & Water District. She shared how the trees should be planted and cared for, as well as why trees are so important to the environment. The weather was not cooperative, as sleet and wind followed a morning of snow, but the fourth graders toughened it out. Above are students (from left) Brianna Harper, Kylie Croom, and Alex Watts putting the finishing touches on planting their sapling. Each student was given a small tree to take home and plant. (Lori Nickel Photo)