LANSING — The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance, in cooperation with the Eaton Conservation District, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Forest Resources Division, and the City of Lansing – Forestry, Public Service Department are holding the 26th Annual State Arbor Day Celebration at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI on Friday, April 26.
Nearly 1,000 2nd and 3rd graders from 17 schools in Mid-Michigan will be attending an all-day field trip rotating through activity stations to learn about the importance of trees. During the lunch time celebration, there will be singing, dancing, recognition of our VIPs, city/county/state proclamations, and a grand tree planting.
2019 marks the 147th anniversary of the very first Arbor Day. On the first Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, it is estimated that 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska. J. Sterling Morton created Arbor Day when he moved from Michigan to Nebraska and noticed all the trees had been cut down. Morton was a pioneer who loved nature and recognized trees were needed as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials and for shade from the hot sun.
It was the vision of early pioneers like Morton that has inspired people to plant trees over the years and appreciate all the things they provide to people and wildlife.
Celebrated by millions all over the world, Arbor Day is a celebration of the importance of trees which we need for oxygen, clean air and water, wildlife, climate change mitigation, shade and much more.
“When you plant a tree, you are planting hope for the future.”
— Hannah Reynolds, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance Program Coordinator
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