In Appreciation of Trees, the GCA Recognizes National Arbor Day, April 24

April 24, 2020

The GCA Recognizes National Arbor Day

“Each generation takes the earth as trustees,” J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day. Since 1913, the members of The Garden Club of America have understood the importance of trees and embraced their roles as dedicated trustees of planet earth. Through educational programs, advocacy initiatives, and civic improvement projects, clubs across the country observe Arbor Day every day. While in past years Arbor Day was a time for volunteer opportunities and community events for all ages, current CDC recommendations for COVID-19 make this year very different.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872 in the state of Nebraska. Communities were offered prizes for the most tree plantings resulting in the addition of an estimated one million trees to the state of Nebraska. Although there will not be parades and community tree plantings this year, there are many ways to celebrate Arbor Day 2020. Click Here to learn more about some creative ideas. 

Trees help to clean our air, contribute to our health, keep drinking water clean, and provide shade and habitat for wildlife. Planting and caring for trees has been an integral part of the deep history of the GCA. Ninety years ago, the GCA forged a working partnership with Save The Redwoods League to purchase and permanently protect the 2,552-acre Garden Club of America Grove. Now covering more than 5,100 acres, the GCA Grove is the third-largest dedicated redwood grove in the entire state park system.

In 2013, GCA member clubs celebrated the GCA’s centennial by planting 24,000 trees across the United States, demonstrating their resolve to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment. Various GCA member clubs continue to support ongoing tree planting projects in their local communities.  READ MORE about the GCA’s position on various topics regarding the environment. 

 

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