On Friday, April 25, more than 1,000 second- and third-grade students from 21, pre-selected mid-Michigan schools will attend the annual State Arbor Day Celebration at Lansing's Potter Park Zoo.

State Arbor Day Celebration Staff and volunteers from the following sponsoring organizations have partnered to make this year's event a success: the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance, the Eaton Conservation District, the Department of Natural Resources, Consumers Energy, the City of Lansing Forestry and Public Service Department, the Lansing Board of Water and Light, the International Transmission Company, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union and Adams Outdoor Advertising.

Students from schools selected to attend the celebration will have an opportunity to enjoy a series of hands-on activity stations that focus on trees, water, wildlife and related ecosystems. A noontime ceremony will include a presentation of awards, entertainment by singer, songwriter and educator Joe Reilly (www.joereilly.org) and planting of the state Arbor Day tree (donated by Ayles Tree Service of Potterville).

"Arbor Day is a special holiday to celebrate trees and forests and their importance in our lives," said Kevin Sayers, coordinator of the DNR's Urban Forestry program. "Planting a tree any time this spring is a great way to celebrate Arbor Day."

For more information about the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance, the State Arbor Day Celebration, how to be selected for the 2015 celebration or other events around the state, please contact Jennifer Hunnell, state Arbor Day coordinator, at 517-543-5848, ext. 5, or visit www.miarbordayalliance.com.

Contact: Kevin Sayers, 517-284-5898 or Debbie Munson Badini, 906-226-1352