Councilman Kelvin Washington (left) plants a pecan tree at Webber Elementary School during an Arbor Day Celebration.	Council Chairman Norman Jackson (center) and RSWCD Commissioner Jeff Laney (left) present an Arbor Day Proclamation to Assistant Principal David Thorpe (right) at Horrell Hill Elementary School.

Columbia, SC—The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD) celebrated Arbor Day with performances and tree plantings at two local schools on Friday, December 5^th.

Cast members from EdVenture Children’s Museum presented a tree-themed play for preK-2^nd graders at  Webber Elementary School, and educational entertainer Tim Womick performed for 3^rd and 5^th grade students at Horrell Hill Elementary School.  After the presentations, students and faculty members planted trees on each school campus.  Richland County Councilman Kelvin Washington and Council Chairman Norman Jackson presented Arbor Day proclamations to each school. 

Arbor Day is a holiday set aside to plant, care for, and celebrate trees.  The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, and today, Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states and in many other countries around the world.  While several states observe Arbor Day in spring, South Carolina celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday in December because winter is the best time for planting trees in our climate. 

For more information, contact Chanda Cooper at cooperc@rcgov.us. 

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Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. In South Carolina, Conservation District boundaries conform to County boundaries.  The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise planning and use of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Richland County.

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