ROOTED IN RENTON: Celebrating Earth Day / Arbor Day
Published on May 01, 2026
Each April, Earth Day and Arbor Day give us an opportunity to celebrate environmental stewardship and the community members who help protect and care for it.
During the April 20 council meeting, Mayor Armondo Pavone designated April 20, 2026, as Arbor Day / Earth Day. The proclamation was accepted by Interim Urban Forestry Manager, Gabriella Golzarian.
Golzarian described the city’s Urban Forestry Program, under the Parks & Recreation Department, as one that “strives to make our community forest healthy, diverse, and sustainable, reinforcing the city’s strong commitment to community trees and health.”
Growing something great at Thomas Teasdale Park
Our trees are important to us for many natural, health, and economic reasons. They help clean the air and water, provide shade, support wildlife, improve mental health, dampen light and noise pollution, and make our parks and neighborhoods more enjoyable.
On Saturday, April 25, 47 volunteers planted at Thomas Teasdale Park in recognition of Arbor Day / Earth Day. These trees will help absorb excess water in the park and provide extra shade for parkgoers and canopy coverage for birds.
Additionally, volunteers were supervised by 9 Parks and Recreation staff members.
The City of Renton has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation since 2008 and a Tree City of the World for the past two years. This designation is made possible by ongoing community tree planting and maintenance efforts across the city by the city’s Urban Forestry program under the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN!
When it rains, stormwater flows down our streets and sidewalks, eventually reaching our streams, rivers, and Puget Sound. To remind us of the importance of clean stormwater, storm drain markers can be found throughout the city near certain storm drains. These storm drain markers say, “Puget Sound Starts Here. ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN.”
On Saturday, April 25, as part of the Arbor Day / Earth Day event, 13 storm drain marking volunteers distributed 101 doorhangers and installed 72 drain markers in the Victoria Hills, Valley Vue, Cascade, and Talbot Hill neighborhoods.
Thank you, volunteers!
Arbor Day / Earth Day is made possible every year by volunteers whose hard work, generosity, and time commitment make our events possible.
During National Volunteer Month and throughout the year, we recognize the importance of volunteers and their impact throughout our community.
Find future volunteer opportunities at rentonwa.gov/volunteer.