By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Over 30 people braved often punishing cold winds and driving rain Friday, April 22 to celebrate the launching of an effort to create an arboretum within Whitewater’s Starin Park. An arboretum is a open air museum of plants and trees that recognizes the importance of the interrelationship of man and the natural environment.  The Earth Day celebration continues Saturday with a tree sale and will continue next weekend in honor of Arbor Day. A tree sale with native varieties priced as low as $30 continues while supplies last, Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m., Friday the 29th from 1 to 6 p.m., and Saturday the 30th from 10 a.m. until noon at the lower shelter in Starin Park. The purpose of this sale is to get native, high quality, air pruned trees into the city’s tree canopy where they will thrive. There also will be educational activities for children and adults next Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.