Nov. 17, 2011

GOV. BARBOUR DECLARES TODAY TOYOTA ARBOR DAY
Schoolchildren to receive seedlings to recognize company’s commitment to
Mississippi, environment

BLUE SPRINGS – Gov. Haley Barbour declared today as Toyota Arbor Day to celebrate the opening of the car manufacturer's Blue Springs plant and its commitment to the environment and Mississippi.

To celebrate Toyota Arbor Day, public school districts, private schools and religious schools will be given tree seedlings in January to distribute to their students for the planting season. Students are encouraged to plant the trees on Feb. 10, the official Arbor Day in Mississippi as established by the National Arbor Day Foundation. 

"This is a wonderful opportunity to teach students about the environment and service to their communities," Gov. Barbour said. "Students can plant trees as a class or student council project on school grounds, city parks, nursing homes or other community facilities. Also, students can take the trees home for planting. This is a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of community service."

The state and Toyota created Toyota Arbor Day to offset the loss of trees from construction of the company's manufacturing facility.

School officials may request the number of trees needed for students by Dec. 15. The trees will be delivered to local districts and independent schools by the Mississippi Forestry Commission. To order seedlings, school officials may go to the Mississippi Forestry Commission website www.mfc.ms.gov, click on the Toyota Arbor Day Event Icon, and complete and submit the form. A confirmation email will be sent.

"Toyota's start of production marks a new chapter for Mississippi," Gov. Barbour said. "We are committed to bringing high-skilled, high-paying jobs to our state so these children and their children can stay in Mississippi and raise their families here."