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The Creation of Arbor Day
Arbor Day is celebrated worldwide by planting trees, bringing awareness of their importance for the health of our planet. We are encouraged to consider how the planting of trees and how we manage and preserve them is critically important.
The seed for the idea of a day to celebrate trees was planted in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in 1872 by journalist Julius Sterling Morton, who proposed Arbor Day. The first Arbor Day was held on April 10 of that year, and Nebraskans celebrated by planting approximately one million trees. The popularity of Arbor Day quickly spread across the county, eventually being celebrated worldwide. But it wasn’t until 1970 that Arbor Day became a national holiday in the United States. (History of Arbor Day, History.com)
Every Day is Arbor Day for the Stewards of Montana’s Forests
For Montana’s timber harvesters, every day is Arbor Day. Timber harvesters are stewards of our forests, dedicated to caring for and protecting Montana’s forests through responsible management.
Timber harvesting is a vital tool for forest management and, when applied strategically and sustainably, can contribute to the health and safety of our forests, communities, and environment.
Through strategic, sustainable timber harvesting, we can:
Maintain healthy, sustainable forests.
By removing dead and diseased trees, we can stop the spread of damaging bacteria, fungi, and insect infestations. Click to view the latest DNRC report on the health of Montana’s forest.
Strategic removal of select trees also relieves excessive growth and overcrowding, providing a better environment for growing healthy trees and plants.
Decrease forest fire risk.
By thinning overgrown forests and removing dead and fallen trees, fuel for wildfires is reduced. Also, timber harvesting can provide forest access, fuel breaks, and other strategies to help firefighters battle wildfires and protect our communities.
Aid in the fight against climate change.
Substantial research is underway examining forest health, carbon emissions, and forest management. Dying trees, other vegetation, and wildfires emit a tremendous amount of carbon and other greenhouse gases. Growing trees and plants are carbon sequesters, meaning they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. There is increasing evidence that carbon emissions can be reduced through forest management practices that sustain healthy, growing forests.
How to Celebrate Arbor Day in Montana
Anyone can celebrate Arbor Day by simply planting a tree; however, many celebrations are planned around the state. Below are just a few:
Woodland Park, Kalispell, Montana
April 28, 2023, 9 a.m. – 2:30p.m.
Shelby, Montana
April 28, 2023, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Centennial Park, Billings, Montana
April 28, 2023, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Community Center, Whitehall, Montana
Friday, April 28, 2023, Noon to 3 p.m.
Missoula, Montana
Friday, April 28, 2023, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
How do you plan to celebrate?