Saturday, April 12, will be a big day for the environment in both Arlington and Marysville, whether you’re observing Arbor Day at the Country Charm Park and Conservation Area in Arlington or Earth Day at Allen Creek in Marysville.

The city of Arlington has proclaimed April 12 as Arbor Day, and plans to celebrate with a community tree-planting and nature-centric event at the Country Charm Park and Conservation Area, located at 604 E. Gilman Ave., alongside representatives of Sound Salmon Solutions, the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, the Arlington Arts Council and other organizations for this family-friendly event.

The bird walk conducted by Pilchuck Audubon kicks off at 9 a.m., offering participants the opportunity to discover which birds make the riparian area of the Stillaguamish River home, while the state Department of Natural Resources will present Arlington with the Tree City Award for 2013, amidst the many information and nature activity booths on site.

Visitors will be able to learn about the benefits of trees, and how they can do their part to protect the Stillaguamish River, in addition to picking up tips on subjects such as how to make body oil from native trees, as well as the history and culture of the area.

Younger attendees can look forward to meeting with Scoopy Doo, ecology dog extraordinaire, while volunteers of all ages are invited to help plant evergreen trees, to enhance a future campground at the park.

A portion of the day will also be devoted to planting a special memorial tree and berry bushes, for the victims of the Oso mudslide, prior to a group nature walk to the Stilly.

All tools, gloves, water and snacks will be provided, and if you have questions, please contact the city of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department at 360-403-3448.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that same day, volunteers are invited to converge at the Wilcox Farm, located at 9311 67th Ave. NE in Marysville, for an all-ages Earth Day planting of trees and shrubs next to Allen Creek, jointly sponsored by the Allen/Quilceda Action Team, the Adopt A Stream Foundation, Sound Salmon Solutions, the Tulalip Tribes, the Marysville School District, Snohomish County Surface Water, the city of Marysville and the state Department of Ecology.

“We are providing the tools, water and snacks,” Adopt A Stream Foundation Fish and Wildlife Manager Walter Rung said. “In addition to getting a nice feeling for doing something good for the planet, the first 200 kids and adults to plant trees will be rewarded with a T-shirt that celebrates the event.”

Rung recommends that everyone dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and be prepared to get down and dirty.

Last year at the Wilcox Farm, the Adopt A Stream Foundation installed a 900-foot-long fence to keep horses away from Allen Creek, so that thousands of trees and shrubs could be planted between that fence and the creek. The Adopt A Stream Foundation is also installing log fish habitat structures at several locations in Allen Creek. The Tulalip Tribes are also restoring the connection between Allen Creek and the Snohomish River that had been blocked with tide gates.

For more information, call 425-316-8592 or log onto www.streamkeeper.org.