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Arbor Day

History of Arbor Day

According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, “Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care.” In 1872, J. Sterling Morton, editor of the Nebraska City News, founded Arbor Day. Morton encouraged settlers and homesteaders in that state to plant trees for shade, shelter, food and fuel, as well as to beautify the treeless plains. More than one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day.

Traditionally, National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. While it is a worldwide event, in individual communities the date is frequently set to tie in with optimum tree planting conditions for the area.

 

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Sample Activities

Some possible Arbor Day water-related activities include:

  • Tree plantings in riparian areas
  • Arbor day poster contests emphasizing the importance of trees to water quality.

Websites 

National Arbor Day Foundation at: http://www.arborday.org/

Project Learning Tree at: http://www.plt.org/

USDA Forest Service at http://www/fs/fed.us/

National Association of State Foresters at: http://www.stateforesters.org

Smokey Bear at: www.smokeybear.com 

National Arbor Day Foundation at: http://www.arborday.org/

Project Learning Tree at: http://www.plt.org/

USDA Forest Service at http://www/fs/fed.us/

National Association of State Foresters at: http://www.stateforesters.org

Smokey Bear at: www.smokeybear.com