Plant a tree. Take a walk in the woods. Start recycling paper products. Whatever you choose to do, the Alaska Division of Forestry encourages Alaskans to take time to celebrate Arbor Day on Monday, May 18.
While in years past Arbor Day was a time for volunteer opportunities and community events for all ages, current recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control relating to COVID-19 make this year very different. Even though most community celebrations and tree planting events are being postponed or cancelled, the spirit of Arbor Day remains strong.
Established in 1872, Arbor Day is the day set aside to plant trees, educate children and adults about the importance of trees, and recognize the important role that trees play in our lives. In Alaska, Arbor Day is celebrated on the third Monday in May.
Governor Mike Dunleavy signed a proclamation denoting May 18 as Arbor Day in Alaska, in which he invites Alaskans young and old to honor one of the state’s greatest assets – its forests.
The Alaska Division of Forestry is offering to help Alaska schools obtain grants to plant trees in honor of Arbor Day, and to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Association of State Foresters.
The grant program also affords schools an opportunity to become recognized by the national Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus K-12. This program seeks “to inspire the next generation of tree stewards through experiences that bring the benefits of trees to life both outside and in the classroom.” To achieve recognition, schools are required to meet four basic program goals:
- Maintain a group with representation from staff, students, and community dedicated to achieving Tree Campus K-12 recognition.
- Conduct activities that connect students to trees and their global benefits inside or outside of the classroom.
- Engage students in a project that brings the school’s tree spirit to the community.
- Hold a celebration of trees within the school or community.
For more information on the benefits of becoming a Tree Campus K-12, go to the Arbor Day Foundation’s portal. To learn more about planting and caring for trees, visit the Division’s Community Forestry Program website. To learn more about how to celebrate Arbor Day 2020 at home, visit the national Arbor Day Foundation website.
