Arbor Day: Celebrating the Importance of Trees in Our Lives
Arbor Day is a special day dedicated to celebrating trees and promoting the importance of planting and caring for them. It’s a time when individuals, communities, and organizations come together to honor the beauty and benefits of trees in our environment. But Arbor Day is more than just a day for planting saplings—it’s a reminder of how essential trees are to the health of our planet.
Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist and politician. Morton believed that trees were essential for the environment and for human well-being, and he wanted to encourage people to plant more trees. The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872, and it was a huge success, with over a million trees planted in Nebraska on that day. Today, Arbor Day is observed on different dates depending on the region’s best planting season. In the U.S., it typically falls on the last Friday of April, but some states choose other dates based on local climates.
Trees are some of the most important living things on our planet. They provide oxygen, food, and shelter for countless species of animals and plants. They also help to clean the air and water, and they play a critical role in regulating the climate. They create natural shade that can help lower temperatures. Tees provide soil protection, preventing erosion and improving soil quality by adding organic matter when leaves decompose.
In addition to environmental protection, trees also provide physical and mental well-being. Being around trees has been shown to reduce stress, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function. Green spaces filled with trees promote outdoor activities, providing a place for relaxation, play, and exercise.
As the effects of climate change continue to be felt, Arbor Day has become more important than ever. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to ensure that trees continue to thrive. This includes reforesting areas that have been affected by deforestation, protecting existing forests, and promoting sustainable land management practices.
Arbor Day serves as a reminder that even small actions—such as planting a single tree—can have a far-reaching impact. Each tree we plant is an investment in our future and a way to give back to the planet that sustains us.
Stop into the library to check out books about trees, planting, reforestation, and sustainability, and participate in our Climate Ribbon Project.
Resources
The Day for Trees: a Podcast from Profile America
Arbor Day Foundation – Organization dedicated to planting and caring for trees. Their website offers tree planting guides, donation and membership opportunities, tree nursery and tree planting kits, and educational materials about trees and the environment.
The Nature Conservancy – Provides important information on how forests impact biodiversity, climate, and communities. They focus on large-scale conservation efforts.
The National Forest Foundation – Works to protect and restore U.S. National Forests and Grasslands through tree planting initiatives, forest stewardship programs, and other educational programs about the value of forests.
One Tree Planted – A non-profit that focuses on reforestation around the world.
Articles
Opposing Viewpoints:
An Address by J. Sterling Morton on Arbor day 1885
What is Arbor Day? The meaning behind the tree holiday