Spirit Nest Creator Transforms 270-Year-Old Black Oak Tree Into an Educational, Interactive Centerpiece at Arbor Day Farm

NEBRASKA CITY, Nebraska (April 29, 2022) – Interdisciplinary artist, Jayson Fann, has designed a symbolic drum created out of the trunk of a tree downed by an ice storm in 2021 at the Arbor Day Farm in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. With a specialty in building large-scale public art structures across the country, Fann's newest creation encourages opportunities for intercultural dialogue, connections to nature and an awareness for environmental stewardship.

"Arbor Day Farm is where the Arbor Day Foundation's mission comes to life," said Austin Mackrill, vice president of Arbor Day Farm. "Fann's work aligns nicely with our aim to provide a welcoming space to educate and inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees."

Carvings in the drum were inspired by the path of the Missouri River acknowledging the vast history of the land and its people. It is also an ode to the artist's childhood growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, spending time exploring the river and using driftwood to make forts, and developing a passion for working with natural materials.

Fann's work has been featured in The New York Times, TODAY Show and the Los Angeles Times as well as notable commissions by the National Institute of Children's Health Hospital and the University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum.

The drum will be a welcome addition to the other nature-focused activities and spaces enjoyed across the 260-acre campus at Arbor Day Farm. Visitors can see the drum for themselves during the Arbor Day weekend celebration that kicks off on the national Arbor Day holiday on April 29.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.  

As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

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