Dirt flew Saturday afternoon as children helped the Sippican Lands Trust, and The Trustees of Reservations, celebrate Arbor Day in Marion.

Kids tossed handfuls of earth to plant an Atlantic white cedar sapling in Washburn Park as part of daylong festivities held there and the trust’s Brainard Marsh property, located off of Delano Road.

The cedar, a native species, is rare. Saturday’s planting marked the beginning of its re-introduction to town properties.

Land trust Executive Director Robin Shields said her group has 40 of the trees left for adoption by residents. Fifty trees had been available originally.

“We’re extending stewardship to families and our hope is they will adopt a tree, name it, and care for it,” Shields said. For more information on adopting a tree contact Shields via email: robinshields@sippicanlandstrust.org.

The minimum donation to adopt is $50, paid to the land trust. The money helps fund the land trust’s mission; a mission shared by the trustees.

A state agency, it coordinated Saturday’s event with the land trust. Southeast Regional Director John Vasconcellos said he was “excited and grateful” for his agency to join the effort that brought some white cedars to Marion.

Local town agencies that collaborated with the trust to make the event possible include: the Marion Tree and Parks Committee, the Charles Washburn Trust, and the Marion Recreation Department.

While tree planting was the reason for the gathering, the promise of fun (and free food) drew families.

Many participated in activities that included; a climbing wall, listening to music by the Falmouth Fiddlers, getting faces painted by Handy Mandy, and enjoying refreshments donated by Cumberland Farms and Rose and Vicki’s.

Looking ahead, Shields said the trust is reviving the “Beach Bash” at Silvershell Beach. Referring to the event as a “friendraiser,” Shields said it brings in money for the trust, while being a low cost, and family friendly event. Scheduled for July, the long running “bash” returns after a brief absence. Last year, it didn’t take place, but occurred for 12 consecutive years prior to 2012.

“It’s a historic event for us,” Shields said.