Church volunteers will plant trees on Saturday

With the help of more than 300 volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about 300 trees will be added to the Thousand Oaks landscape on Sat., April 25.

The LDS volunteers will partner with public works staff to plant $5,000 worth of 15gallon oaks, crepe myrtles and red buds in the oak grove at La Jolla lot, between Monte Carlo Drive and Sunset Boulevard, and in the Wildwood greenbelt.

"This partnership allows the city to provide the trees and the planting sites, and our partners have agreed to provide the labor. We are all planting the seeds to ensure a healthy community for the generations to come," said Mayor Tom Glancy.

City Council members consider enhancing our open spaces one of their primary goals, Glancy said.

"One of our responsibilities is to care for the earth," said Jill Jensen, a Thousand Oaks volunteer. "I hope these beautiful trees will stand for generations to come."

The Arbor/Earth Day tree planting is part of the inaugural Mormon Helping Hands Community Day of Service. Local members make up a portion of more than 30,000 Mormons from San Luis Obispo to San Diego who've found ways to volunteer in their local communities.

"Serving in the community is simply an extension of helping within my home and family," said Candy London, president of the church's local women's organization.

The Mormon Helping Hands program was officially established in 1998. Since then, thousands of volunteers around the world have donated millions of hours of service to their communities. There are 13.5 million Mormons worldwide.

"We are happy to have the opportunity to plant trees in Thousand Oaks with our friends and neighbors, as well as to be part of an army of 30,000 other Latterday Saints involved in similar projects throughout Southern California," said LDS bishop Carlisle Packard.

"Service projects are good for everyone. Large or small the recipient feels gratitude and the giver feels uplifted. This day of service is our chance to improve our community while working alongside friends and neighbors," LDS project coordinator Craig Nielsen said.

The city invites residents interested in learning more about green projects at home or at work to an Arbor/Earth Day celebration on Saturday.

The annual event is organized to educate visitors about the importance of creating a healthy, sustainable environment. Festivities will be held at Conejo Creek Park North (23 Freeway and Janss Road) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Environmentally friendly crafts, children's activities, entertainment, exhibitors and vendors will be available throughout the day.

For more information on Arbor/Earth Day, contact Jana Covell at (805) 449-2660, ext. 258, or visit www.toaks.org.