For more than two decades, Bowling Green residents have gathered to celebrate a gift that keeps on giving: trees.

On Saturday, the annual tradition of recognizing trees for their beauty, calming effects and ability to purify the air continues at Kereiakes Park from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Trees have all kinds of benefits for us, and we use Arbor Day as a day to understand these benefits,” said Jared Weaver, arborist for the city of Bowling Green.

In 1994, Bowling Green celebrated its first Arbor Day with national recognition as a “Tree City USA.” With that recognition, a newly formed Tree Advisory Board designed an event to encourage folks to go outside and enjoys the city’s parks.

The Arbor Day tradition continues to grow 25 years later.

“It’s expanded from simply handing out small trees and a proclamation from the mayor to a celebration of trees and nature (and education on) how people can care for trees in their own landscapes,” Weaver said.

This year, the city will distribute five species: sugar maple, arborvitae, redbud, catalpa and pawpaw. With a supply of 1,200 seedlings, attendees will probably be able to walk away with two or three trees, according to Weaver.

There will be a brief opening ceremony at 9 a.m., after which families can speak with area arborists, environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts. For children, there will be a “bicycle rodeo” obstacle course and bouncy houses.

The available seedlings have benefits such as shade or compatibility with power lines to accommodate various household needs.

“We try to provide trees that are suitable for every landscape,” Weaver said.

In addition to recognizing trees’ many gifts – such as carbon storing, cleaning stormwater and more (some studies suggest having more trees correlates with reduced crime) – the event provides an opportunity to actively dig some dirt and make the city a better place.

On average, American cities and towns are losing an estimated 36 million trees each year, according to a 2018 study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

But that’s not Bowling Green’s fate: Weaver and other community members work to plant as many trees as are cut down each year.

The Saturday event is rain or shine. If sunny, Weaver expects several hundred people to attend the celebration.

– For more information about Arbor Day and the city’s tree program, visit bgky.org/tree.