Tornadoes are not an uncommon occurrence in Texas and rarely a spring goes by in which the beeping alert of the weather station does not warn of damaging storms approaching the DFW Metroplex. In April of 2012, such warnings, indicated by Doppler radar, prompted officials to launch the emergency broadcast system and air warning sirens as tornadoes, high winds and hail tore through the western and southwestern parts of Arlington. The mid-day storms blew through quickly leaving uprooted trees, homes and other debris in their wake. Many months later, Arlington residents and business members are still rebuilding what was lost so long ago.

In an effort to help strengthen Arlington's urban tree canopy, Parks and Recreation Department staff applied for grant funding through the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and the Lowe's Charitable Foundation to assist in funding over 1,000 established trees. Working in conjunction with Keep Arlington Beautiful and the Arlington Southwest Little League, city staff is preparing for a Tornado Tree Planting Event on Saturday, November 10, 2012, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending around noon.

The Parks and Recreation Department is asking the Arlington community for their assistance in recruiting over 300 volunteers needed to re-plant damaged and lost trees across the tornado impact zone. Volunteers for the event will meet at Martin High School where they will be given their assigned areas and paired with city staff to drive to the affected locations and plant the trees. Once all the trees have been planted, volunteers are invited to return to the school for a tailgating party with complimentary hot dogs and soda from noon to 2 p.m.

For more information and to stay up to date with this and other volunteer opportunities, please visit www.keeparlingtonbeautiful.com or like us on Facebook. To sign up for this event, contact us at [email protected]