Bring the family out to Tuten Park for the Arbor Day event on Saturday, January 19, from 9 am - noon. The City of Lake Charles will feature "local environmental and nature-focused organizations as well as free trees for guests to take home", said a media release.

Native seedlings, river birches, red maples, wax myrtles, and mayhaw will be given away on a "first come, first served basis". The trees are donated by the Coastal Plain Conservancy, and local conservation organizations and more will also be on hand with booths.

The Arbor Day celebration is free to the public.

Come out and learn a thing or two about conservation efforts across Southwest Louisiana, and a chance to plant a free tree at your home.

Arbor Day was founded in 1872 to celebrate planting trees and the ecosystem services that trees provide to communities. Trees reduce the energy needed to cool homes in the summer, increase the value of homes, reduce the impact of stormwater, and provide habitat for wildlife.

Tuten Park was donated to the city to be a bird, native flower and tree sanctuary for the enjoyment and education of area youth. For more information about the park, visit www.cityoflakecharles.com/tutenpark.

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