Arbor Day 2025

The City of San Luis Obispo is excited to invite community members to celebrate 42 years as a Tree City USA at its annual Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, November 1st, at 9:00 a.m. at Santa Rosa Park. This family-friendly event is designed to educate and empower residents to take an active role in nurturing our urban forest. 

This year’s Arbor Day theme centers on the value of tree age diversity. Maintaining a mix of young, mature, and older trees strengthens San Luis Obispo’s urban forest, ensuring lasting shade, wildlife habitat, and natural beauty. 

Arbor Day Event Highlights 

• October 23rd Farmers’ Market Booth: City staff will be at Downtown SLO’s Farmers’ Market on Thursday October 23. Stop by our booth and get a complimentary tree! 

November 1st - Arbor Day 

• Welcoming Remarks: City Arborist Walter Gault will open the festivities, emphasizing the City’s commitment to its Urban Forest. 
• Partner Presentations:  
  • Hear from Kendra Paulding, Executive Director of ECOSLO and City Arborist Walter Gault as they discuss environmental stewardship  
  • Get to the Root of it with Gage Willey, Curator of the Cal Poly Plant Conservatory, who will discuss the importance of roots in the establishment of new trees.  
• Tree Planting Ceremony: Join neighbors, volunteers and City Staff in planting 10 new trees that will help shape the city’s landscape for generations. 
• Light Refreshments: We'll have coffee, light snacks, and water. Please bring your own coffee mug and water bottle! 

Arbor Day 2024

Arbor Day 2024 was a success! We would like to thank Council, City staff, volunteers, Cal Poly students, and community members who participated in the rain with us! We planted 27 trees at Boulevard Del Campo Cul-de-sac along the Railroad Safety Trail and celebrated 41 years as a Tree City USA.

We had some great guest speakers and table hosts sharing information about trees. Learn a little more about them below.