30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ARBOR DAY IN THE WOODLANDS
SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 20

Puffy Pine Cone’s birthday party highlights this traditional event

Lovable mascot of The Woodlands, Puffy Pine Cone, will celebrate his birthday at the Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, January 20, 2007 from 10 am until 2 pm at Town Green Park in The Woodlands Town Center.  Pictured here are mascots (left to right): Mickey Mouse; Carey Bear from Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital; H-E-B Buddy; Sammy Bearkat from Sam Houston State University; Safety Guy; Puffy Pine Cone; Toro from the Houston Texans; McGruff the Crime Dog; Eddie the Eagle from Conroe I.S.D.; the “M” from the South Montgomery County YMCA along with the Y, C and A mascots in the background; Elmo from Sesame Street; and Mr. Incredible from The Incredibles movie.

The Woodlands will host its 30th Anniversary Celebration of Arbor Day on Saturday, January 20, 2007 from 10 am until 2 pm at Town Green Park in The Woodlands Town Center, according to Susan Vreeland-Wendt, director of marketing for The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC). A birthday celebration for lovable mascot of The Woodlands, Puffy Pine Cone, will highlight the Arbor Day celebration. 

Town Center Improvement District (TCID) and TWDC are sponsors of this event while the Community Associations of The Woodlands is sponsoring the tree giveaway.  The Brickman Group, Ltd. is a participating sponsor of Arbor Day.  The Friends of the Trees sponsors are the Buckthorne and Research Forest real estate offices in The Woodlands of Coldwell Banker United, Realtors®.   

Over 28,000 tree seedlings in eight different varieties will be distributed free, continuing a 30-year tradition that began in 1977. The selection of trees includes Bald Cypress, Cherrybark Oak, Loblolly Pine, Mayhaw, Nuttall Oak, Swamp White Oak, Texas Redbud and Yellow Poplar. 

Over the years, the developer and sponsors have given away approximately 780,000 tree seedlings to help perpetuate the forested environment.  In addition to receiving free tree seedlings, guests may register at the event to win five, 15-gallon native trees.  The drawing will be held at 1:45 pm, and entrants must be present to win.

Highlights of Arbor Day also include free giant inflatable rides, face painting and free children’s gifts. A concession stand will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks. Puffy’s birthday celebration will begin at 1 pm with complimentary cupcakes.  Many of Puffy’s mascot friends have been invited to join in the birthday fun including Clutch from the Houston Rockets.  Musical performances by popular youth hip-hop group, Savvy, and up-and coming opening act, The Co, will also add to the festivities.

The 30th Anniversary of Arbor Day in The Woodlands will be held on Saturday, January, 20, 2007 from 10 am until 2 pm at Town Green Park in The Woodlands Town Center.  Bill Kendrick, director of landscape management for The Woodlands Development Company and employee of the company for 33 years, stands before three pine trees from the original Arbor Day.  The trees are located on Slash Pine in the Village of Grogan’s Mill. The Village of Grogan’s Mill was the location for the first Arbor Day celebration in The Woodlands.

“Arbor Day is a wonderful community event for families and children that is so much a part of The Woodlands’ hometown spirit.  This year, Arbor Day in The Woodlands is extra special marking its 30th anniversary,” said Vreeland-Wendt.  “Families enjoy receiving the trees, planting them and watching them grow, as they have for many years.  Children also enjoy the birthday festivities with Puffy Pine Cone and the entertainment.”
The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre master-planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston.  It is a project of The Woodlands Development Company, a limited partnership of Morgan Stanley and General Growth Properties, Inc.