“ … all the people strive on Arbor Day to plant many, many trees, both forest and fruit. May the day and the observance thereof be cherished in every household, and its name and fruits become as a shower of blessing to the long lines of generations who shall succeed us.” – J. Sterling Morton, Founder of Arbor Day
If you are like me, you love hiking up trails and camping out in the forest. There is something about being outside that really gives me a sense of adventure. Unfortunately, every year wildland and forest fires affect several million acres of land in the Unites States. Most of those wildfires are started due to lightning or human activities. According to the Arbor Day Foundation over 3,000,000 acres of land were destroyed by wildfires in 2014. That is a lot of land, and with every wildfire that occurs, the loss of trees and forests continues to increase. Not to mention, many of those forests have been burned so severely that natural regeneration is impossible. This is why it is important that trees and other plants are replanted within a reasonable time after a fire, insect infestation, disease, or even a storm. If not, wildlife will not have a place to live and we would not only be losing trees but wildlife as well. So, one day is dedicated every year to the celebration of replanting trees – Arbor Day!
Arbor Day, which was started by J. Sterling Morton, celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes the planting and care for those trees. Although many states will celebrate Arbor Day on different dates throughout the year, Arbor Day is typically celebrated on the last Friday in April. But replanting trees around your community is just one way to get involved and help replenish wildland and forest areas. And with Arbor Day coming up in a few days, here are some ideas on how you can help celebrate trees in your community.
- Help plan an Arbor Day block party in your neighborhood
- Learn how to identify the different types of trees
- Go on an “Oldest Tree” search with your friends and family
- Help clean up a public park
- Volunteer with a local tree-planting organization
To some, the idea of setting aside time for tree planting may not seem that exciting, but now it is more important than ever! Trees and forests are homes to many different wildlife, so the need to replant them is essential. For more information about Arbor Day, check out the Arbor Day Foundation Celebration webpage and discover more ways you can get involved in your community!
