As trees across the state begin to blossom for spring, California’s Arbor Week is emphasizing the importance trees have on communities and their residents. Officials from CAL FIRE and California ReLeaf, an organization working to preserve, protect and enhance California’s urban forests, have announced the winners of the statewide Arbor Week poster contest.

“It’s important for students to learn that trees are a vital part of a healthy environment and one of our state’s most precious natural resources,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “We were delighted to see so many school children show their understanding of the value of trees through their creative artwork.”

Students from across California in grades three through five were asked to create original artwork based on the theme “Trees Make My Community Healthy”. Over 600 posters were summited.

This year’s poster contest winners were third grader Carolyn Lum from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Roseville; fourth grader Paige Davis from Bear River School in Wheatland; and fifth grader Alyanna Almario from Lone Tree Elementary School, Beale AFB in Marysville.

A fourth student was selected to receive the Imagination Award because his poster was extraordinarily unique and artful. Kevin Hong, a fifth grader at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Riverside, was given the special recognition award to distinguish the talent and creativity of this young artist.

“It is evident from the entries in this year’s Arbor Week poster contest that children understand the role healthy trees play in healthy communities,” said Amelia Oliver, California ReLeaf’s interim Executive Director. “Arbor Week provides California communities a chance to celebrate the hard work trees do for us all year long.”

California Arbor Week runs March 7-14 every year. To view this year’s Arbor Week poster contest winners visit www.fire.ca.gov. For more on Arbor Week visit www.arborweek.org.