We are excited to share that a Tree Bill, Assembly Bill (AB)131, was introduced in the Nevada State Legislature on March 6th. The bill was introduced to the Natural Resource Committee. Assemblywoman Leslie Cohen led the introduction, and called it the “Little happy tree Bill for little happy trees.”

AB131 ensures tree planting where we need it most – in our urban heat islands, food deserts and underserved communities. It will help communities with canopy studies, inventories, management plans and other help needed to grow community trees.

Affirmative testimony for the Bill came from residents, Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition, Climate Change Lobby, Sierra Club, North Las Vegas, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Southern Nevada Arborist Group, Battle Born Progress, Faith in Action, Nevada Clinicians for Climate Action, Fifth Sun Project, The Nature Conservancy, Washoe County, Nevada Disabilities Coalition, Eureka County, PLAN and Nevada Conservation League. Thank you to all our partners who came and gave voice to the need for trees in our communities across the State of Nevada. We are grateful for your support.

Volunteers will be planting (1 gallon size) native plants along a 475-foot segment of restored stream channel on private land, in Shoshone, California. Come help restore and enhance the riparian habitat of the Shoshone Springbrook from CA 127 downstream into the Shoshone Wetlands. We aim to expand the current range of the Shoshone pupfish which was once believed to be extinct. Shoshone is 1/2 hour West of Pahrump and a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas.

To Register: Contact Christiana Manville by text, phone or email: 702-672-1411 Christiana_Manville@fws.gov

“I am the heat of your hearth, the shade screening you from the sun; I am the beam that holds your house, the board of your table; I am the handle of your shovel, the door of your home, the wood of your cradle, the shell of your coffin. I am the gift of God and the friend of man”

In Nevada, as in most other States, the Last Friday in April is Arbor Day. Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future. These are J. Sterling Morton’s words about the holiday he initiated in 1872. His example has set the tone for Arbor Day Celebrations ever since.

How can members of the community get involved?
If you wanted to do more than just go to your local nursery and buy a tree to plant, what else could you do? You can attend your local City Council Meeting and request that the Mayor is going to proclaim April 28, Arbor Day. Encourage the fifth-grade classes to participate in the Arbor Day National Poster Contest. Hopefully Nevada will have a National winner! Here in Elko, I’ll be reading books about trees at the a local school, creating bark rubbings using paper and crayons, and just noticing the light patterns created by the branches and leaves.

What does all of this mean for the community?

This author thinks that it makes for a better place to live and believe me, Nevada can always use a few more trees. One of Nevada Plants’ goals is to secure more Tree City USA’s in our beautiful state. Once again check with your local City government or the parks department and ask “where will you be planting trees be for our community?”

“No Shade Tree? Blame not the Sun But Yourself”

– Chinese Proverb

Article submitted by Gerald Miller, Elko County Nevada Plants Board Member

Our first event of 2023 was Arturo Cambiero Elementary School on the East Side of Las Vegas. On Feb. 18th, over 40 volunteers helped plant 20 bare root fruit trees at the schools’ garden. Farmer Peter Thomas gathered partners from across the Valley and a productive and fun time was had by all the planters. We planted with teachers, nurses, kids, parents, school administration and so many dedicated planters and groups. A shout out to the beautiful chalk painting led by Jesus Orozco. Thank you Grouchy Johns Coffee for the hot chocolate and coffee!

On Sunday, March 26th, Las Vegas DSA and Masjid As-Sabur planted two fruit trees in their thriving garden! The garden is more than a year old, and is tended by our friend and resident, Tenille Fatima!

It’s been one year since the 

Solidarity Fridge began its delicious 

garden space. My, they have grown!

Victoria Flores and partners expanded the giving garden, planted more fruit trees, created a block party  of available fruit with her neighbors. Our first Block Party gave 29 residents fruit trees! Special thanks to Master Gardener Yutaka Nomura who gave a talk on fruit tree pruning. Big thanks to all who came to plant.

Prune and fertilize your fruit trees before the flower buds appear. Remember that different fruits, like apple and apricot, require different pruning methods so that you don’t cut off all of the fruit buds for this year. If you don’t get fruit by year 3 or so, it might be because you pruned incorrectly and cut off this year’s fruit. Citrus, such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemon, do not require much pruning except to remove any sprouts or leggy growth. Citrus benefits from branches that hide the trunk from sunburn, and all fruit trees benefit from white washing the trunk to protect from sunburn. Fertilize all fruit trees three times a year. An easy way to remember is to fertilize on the major holidays- President’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.

For more information on pruning and fertilizing, as well as a host of other topics, log into the UNR Cooperative Extension Publication site at extension.unr.edu. Select “Quick Links” in the top right corner, then click on “Publications.” Over 250 articles are available to view and download for free. Happy planting!

Written by Susan Ritter, Nevada Plants Board Member

If you received a tree from Nevada Plants and it’s struggling or has died, please reach out to us! Email info@nevadaplants.com for tree support!

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and we rely on the support of our community to keep this project funded. Donate today to support our programs and make our world greener and healthier. 

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