Celebrations were held in St. Paul on Friday for Arbor Day.

A tree-planting ceremony took place at the Rondo Education Complex.

St. Paul Public Schools and the nonprofit Great River Greening, which works toward land conservation and restoration in Minnesota, partnered for the event.

It’s also part of a new initiative that aims to expand the number of trees and green spaces in the city.

“This is really important because tree canopy and trees in our community provide benefits, both to the folks living there, also to the air and to the health of everyone that’s within that community,” Great River Greening Executive Director Kateri Routh said.

Organizers plan to expand the tree-planting program into more low-income neighborhoods in St. Paul throughout the year.