WHEREAS, forest trees cover eighty-nine percent of Maine’s land, making the state the most heavily forested in the United States; and

WHEREAS, city and town shade trees provide natural beauty, shade, and refreshing health for urban environments; and

WHEREAS, trees can reduce erosion of topsoil by wind and water, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife; and

WHEREAS, trees are a renewable resource, providing wood for homes, paper and turned products, residential and commercial-grade fuel, and lumber and other solid wood products; and

WHEREAS, trees provide a year-round opportunity for outdoor recreational activities; and

WHEREAS, it is in keeping with Maine’s traditional celebration of spring to observe and promote the contributions of forests and urban shade trees to our quality of life;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the great State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of May 21st through May 27th, 2023 as

Arbor Week

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to conduct appropriate activities to promote awareness and appreciation of forest and shade trees and safely enjoy the beauty and abundance that Maine has to offer.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this eleventh day of May Two Thousand Twenty-Three