Arbor Day was officially proclaimed in 1874 by Nebraska’s Governor, Robert W. Furnas, and the day was observed April 10 that year. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal state holiday in Nebraska, and April 22 was selected as the date for its permanent annual observance. Today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states. The most common date for the state observance is the last Friday in April — National Arbor Day — but a number of state Arbor Days are at other times to coincide with the best tree planting weather, from January and February in the south to May in the far north. Here are four easy ways you can celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 30!
- Spend Time Outdoors - Hop on the Hike/Bike trail in Maytag Park and go for a walk, hike, or bike ride. Simply spending time surrounded by trees is a great way to spend the holiday dedicated to them.
- Create Art - Translate your celebration of trees into poetry, drawings, sidewalk chalk, music, or any other type of art that interests you.
- Complete a Nature Scavenger Hunt - Make up your own or download one of the many found online. It’s a great way to get and explore the natural world. Your community may even be holding a scavenger hunt to celebrate Arbor Day!
- Plant a Tree or Care for Existing Trees - Tree planting is the core of what Arbor Day is all about, and planting a tree in your yard would be carrying on a legacy that is nearly 150 years old. If you don’t have room for a new tree, however, consider maintenance for existing trees. Renewing or replacing mulch is a great place to start.
Most importantly, though, be sure to take a moment to appreciate all the wonderful things trees do for us every day.
P.S. Grab a photo of your Arbor Day celebration and share it on social media! If you use the hashtag #arborday and tag the Arbor Day Foundation, they will plant a tree in your honor — up to 100,000 trees total.
