WHEREAS, in 1872, the Nebraska Board of Agriculture established a special day to be set aside for the planting of trees, and

WHEREAS, this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and

WHEREAS, Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and

WHEREAS, trees can be a solution to combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing life-giving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife, and

WHEREAS, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products, and

WHEREAS, trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community, and

WHEREAS, trees – wherever they are planted – are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.

Now, THEREFORE, I, Paul Shewmaker, Mayor of the City of Simpsonville, do hereby proclaim December 19th as

Arbor Day

and urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the seal of
the City of Simpsonville to be affixed
this 19th day of December in the year of our Lord 2025.

Mayor Paul Shewmaker