LAGUNA BEACH : California Releaf Program Takes Root
A new tree grows at El Morro Elementary School today, thanks to a program that organizers hope will add 20 million trees to California’s urban landscape in the next 10 years. California Releaf planted the 10-foot ficus Monday during a ceremony attended by 600 pupils.
The tree was donated by Laguna Nursery and First American Capital Bank.
Steve Garrett, a spokesman for the nursery, said California Releaf is negotiating with Orange County cities, schools and businesses in hopes of planting 1 million trees in the county.
Three other schools in the Laguna Beach Unified School District will get trees--Top of the World Elementary, Thurston Middle and Laguna Beach High.
Garrett said it is hoped that if the trees are planted statewide, they will have an impact on California’s air pollution. He said each tree converts 50 pounds of carbon dioxide to oxygen per year.
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