In 1971, Irvine officially became a city. Three years later, Irvine’s first residents passed a major park bond issue to begin building community parks, a crucial step in establishing the Irvine Master Plan.

An impressive 28% of Irvine’s land is dedicated to parks and green spaces — nearly double the national average. And 96% of Irvine residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

Arbor Day is a celebration of trees and the vital role they play in our world. Held on the last Friday in April, it stands apart from most holidays — rooted in hope for the future rather than remembrance of the past.

In recognition of Arbor Day, the City of Irvine has introduced two initiatives aimed at engaging the community in expanding and enhancing Irvine’s urban forest.

Since taking office, Mayor Agran has made it a point to publicly thank and spotlight Irvine-based non-profits, community programs, and the City’s churches, synagogues, and mosques for the work they do to promote kindness in our community.

The Mayor recently connected volunteerism to kindness: “One of the things I value most about Irvine is our shared commitment to helping our neighbors and our community through volunteerism — whether it’s making deliveries for the Meals on Wheels program, leading hikes in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, caring for pets at the Irvine Animal Care Center, or joining the City’s Community Emergency Response Team.”