Arbor Day

Article by: Sandra Turner

Your Environmental Justice Team joins with you in celebrating Arbor Day, April 28th!

Arbor Day, also known as Nature’s holiday, is a reminder to us to do what we can to conserve and protect existing trees and forests, to be stewards for our environment, and to plant new trees!

“Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”

–J. Sterling Morton.

"What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants cool shade and tender rain, And seed and bud of days to be, And years that fade and flush again; He plants the glory of the plain; He plants the forest’s heritage; The harvest of a coming age; The joy that unborn eyes shall see— These things he plants who plants a tree."

–Excerpt from The Heart of the Tree by Henry Cuyler Bunner (1855- 1896)

Planting a tree provides us with cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, cleaner air, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty. It is an act of love and a belief in a better tomorrow.

Can’t plant a tree? Here are a few ideas to consider...Make your garden friendly to bumblebees by adding flowers that attract bees like honeysuckle, lavender, and snapdragons. Plant marigolds, salvia and sunflowers to attract butterflies. Repurpose a tin can and make it into a DIY birdfeeder! —you can also commit to making more environmentally friendly choices, like cutting down on single-use plastic and replacing plastic snack bags with homemade beeswax wraps.

History of Arbor Day

On January 4, 1872, Nebraska newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton proposed a tree planting holiday to be called “Arbor Day” at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. To encourage counties and individuals to plant trees prizes were offered for the largest number of properly planted trees on that day. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted. Now more than 40 countries celebrate Arbor Day!

For more Arbor Day history: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/the-history-of-arbor-day