News Release: Oak Harbor Public Schools and the City of Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation Join Forces to Celebrate Arbor Day with Tree Plantings at Elementary Schools

Posted Date: 4/25/25 (10:37 PM)

A young boy carefully plants a tree with a shovel, surrounded by other people.

Media Contact:
Sarah Foy, Communications Officer, Oak Harbor Public Schools, sfoy@ohsd.net
Magi Aguilar, Communications Officer, City of Oak Harbor, maguilar@oakharbor.org

Oak Harbor Public Schools and the City of Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation Join Forces to Celebrate Arbor Day with Tree Plantings at Elementary Schools

In celebration of Arbor Day on April 25, Oak Harbor Public Schools and the City of Oak Harbor Parks and Recreation worked together to plant trees at every elementary school across the district.

The event is part of a five-year, $1.5 million grant supporting environmental education and outdoor activities in the community. This community-wide initiative demonstrated the shared commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability and hands-on learning opportunities for students.

“Providing students with real-world experiences, like planting trees, not only supports our science curriculum but also instills a lifelong sense of responsibility for the world around them,” said Superintendent Dr. Michelle Kuss-Cybula. “We are proud to partner with the City to create greener, more engaging school campuses for our students.”

tree climber demonstration in front of students

City and school staff, students and community volunteers joined forces to plant 21 trees on the school campuses, an effort that will forever enrich the schools and the community. The day also featured activities like storytelling sessions, chalk art stations and a live demonstration by a professional tree climber.

“It’s great to see the community come together for Arbor Day. I would like to thank the City’s Parks and Recreation staff, the entire Oak Harbor Public Schools family, and everyone who pitched in to make this happen. The trees planted today will be here for years, growing alongside our kids, and that’s something to be proud of,” said Mayor Ronnie Wright.

As the newly planted trees take root, they stand as living symbols of community partnership, sustainability, and the importance of nurturing the native environments in Oak Harbor.

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