Spring is here! Walking around your community, you may notice tulips starting to bloom, grass greening up, and trees starting to bud out. It’s the time of year when everything seems to be waking up, and with that comes one of the best holidays of the year; Arbor Day!

 

 

Arbor Day initially started in April of 1872 when our neighbors in Nebraska noticed the lack of trees across the prairie as settlers moved into the area. It was around that time that a man by the name of J. Sterling Morton proposed the idea of Arbor Day. Morton was a strong advocate for trees, and understood the benefits of trees to people and communities. With this in mind, he felt the need for a “tree planting holiday” and thus, Arbor Day was brought to the State Board of Agriculture where it has since been recognized nationally for over the past 150 years. 

 

Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, which is April 24th this year. Although the holiday is a single day, tree plantings and community celebrations take place all month long!

 

Not only is Arbor Day a great time to get outside and plant trees, but it also brings us all an opportunity to gather as a community with a common goal in mind. Trees not only beautify our landscapes, but also provide countless opportunities for wildlife benefit, aesthetic appeal, and ecological benefit. We’ve all heard “trees clean our air” but did you also know that trees can also help lower your heating and cooling costs, improve water quality, decrease recovery times in hospitals, and reduce crime rates? Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem, and across the state we see an aging canopy, so there has never been a better time to get out and plant a tree than right now!

 

 

It seems like everyone’s calendar is spilling over during this time of the year. Maybe as temperatures warm up, we find ourselves filling our plates from excitement of finally being able to get outside after battling our Kansas winters, so one might say, “I don’t have time to celebrate Arbor Day” but here’s the thing, an Arbor Day celebration doesn’t have to be elaborate. Something as small as planting an acorn in your front yard is still a step in the right direction. While city banners and news media stories are always great, sometimes we can get caught up in the image rather than the true purpose, which is simply to plant trees.

 

Arbor Day doesn’t have to be complicated. Planting a tree in your yard or neighborhood is a simple but impactful step. You can also attend or organize a local tree planting event, share the importance of trees through social media or community newsletters, or talk with kids about trees and involve them in planting activities to help inspire the next generation.

 

 

 

Communities play a vital role in fostering participation and awareness. Hosting a community tree planting event is a great way to bring people together, while partnering with local schools can provide meaningful educational opportunities. Offering workshops on tree care and proper planting techniques can help residents feel confident in their efforts, and promoting Arbor Day through local media or outreach ensures the message reaches a wider audience. If you're unsure about how best to celebrate, hit the “Find My Community Forester” button below to work with our staff about ways your community can celebrate.

 

At its core, Arbor Day is about coming together with a shared purpose, planting trees and investing in the future of our communities. Whether you plant one tree or many, every effort helps grow a stronger, more resilient community forest.

 

This April, I encourage you to take a moment to plant something that will last for generations to come!

 

Happy Arbor Day!

 

Manhattan, KS

(785) 236 - 3991