To help beautify an entryway to Mission Viejo and benefit the environment, the City will host a special volunteer planting and cleanup project on Saturday, April 26.
Hundreds of volunteers are expected to take part in the “neighborhood beautification” effort to plant new landscaping along a quarter-mile stretch of Avery Parkway, east of Marguerite Parkway, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Every year, the City engages enthusiastic, energetic and environmentally minded residents in volunteer tree planting activities in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day. This year, the City is taking that effort into local neighborhoods.
“We are focusing on bringing community volunteers and neighbors together to plant shrubs and trees along the slopes on Avery Parkway to enhance their neighborhoods,” said Public Services Operations Manager Jerry Hill. “This project is not only an opportunity to celebrate the environment, but it’s also a great way for residents throughout Mission Viejo to volunteer to help in the community.”
From groups, organizations, schools, churches, families and businesses, volunteers of all ages will plant 1- and 5-gallon plants and 15-gallon trees on Avery between Marguerite and the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Course. Their efforts will add to the roughly 8,000 plants and trees that are planted in this “Tree City” each year. This is the 15th year Mission Viejo is celebrating the Arbor Day Foundation-sponsored Tree City USA national designation for its commitment to urban forestry.
Along with planting, community members are invited to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day at the City’s Green Expo at Coronado Park, 26652 Las Ondas Drive.
The expo at this neighborhood park will feature earth-friendly crafts and environmental exhibits with tips on water conservation, pollution prevention and recycling. Volunteers will have a chance to create an Earth Day Promise Tree mural out of clay, recycled wood and copper.
The expo will also give residents an opportunity to sign up for the CoolCalifornia City Challenge, a fun competition between California cities to motivate and reward residents for reducing their carbon footprints and helping to build more vibrant communities.
Mission Viejo is one of 10 California cities taking part in the challenge that calls for participants to track driving and home-energy use and take energy efficiency surveys to earn points for being green.
For more information, visit the City’s Green website at www.cityofmissionviejo.org/green or call 949-470-3010.
