Ceremonial tree planting kicks off Cultural Arts District’s tree project

EUREKA, Ca (KIEM)- Keep Eureka Beautiful volunteers, a small crowd of people and the Eureka mayor planted a tree outside of the Coast Central Credit Union in downtown Eureka.

The event is to celebrate the Eureka Cultural Arts District Tree Project and Arbor Day also known as a day to plant trees.

Keep Eureka Beautiful is an all-volunteer citizen group who has planted more eleven hundred trees all around Eureka. The project is said to add beauty to the city, lower crime and to improve the environment.

Volunteers pay the city $100 to dig a hole in the sidewalk for each tree. $75 of that fee is passed on to business and homeowners interested in the project.

Keep Eureka Beautiful volunteer, Michele McKeegan said besides the fee to the city there is no additional cost. The project is paid for by a grant funding foundation.

“With the $5,000 dollars a year, the Berg foundation gives us can buy trees, poles whatever we need,” McKeegan said. 

“We are kicking downtown project but we are still planting trees in the residential parts of town. Anyone who wants a tree in their sidewalk area, should give us a ring.

Eureka mayor Susan Seaman was honored to be part of an event to kick off a project that helps the city of Eureka in a positive way.

 “This new program where they are starting to put new trees in the downtown area is great for business,” Seaman said.  “We just really appreciate the work Keep Eureka Beautiful does.”

The $5,000 annual donation affords enough trees and supplies to plant one hundred trees annually.

Californian Arbor Week runs from March 7^th to March 14^th.

For more information or to sign up or a tree can call 707-443-5195 or visit their website at keepeurekabeautiful.com