Erie's annual Arbor Day celebration began in 1997 and is modeled on similar celebrations throughout the United States under the auspices of the National Arbor Day Foundation. Communities that meet the Foundation's criteria of having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and an annual Arbor Day celebration receive certification as a Tree City USA. Erie is proud to have received this certification every year since 1997.

Event Details
Erie's Arbor Day celebration is a fun family and community event that typically happens on the last Saturday in April, rotating among town and residential parks and other public spaces. The celebration involves hands-on planting of several trees in the selected location, free seedlings and educational materials, drawings for prizes and gift certificates, a flag ceremony by local scouts, presentation of the Tree City USA plaque to the mayor and refreshments.