In Mandan, North Dakota, the surrounding prairie landscape doesn’t have much for natural tree canopy, so every tree planted feels special to residents. Each Arbor Day, an elementary school is chosen as the site for the annual tree planting. Those students get to help plant the tree and have the opportunity to learn about why trees are important.
Springfield, Ohio, residents see their annual Arbor Day celebration as a core part of their community. City officials and schoolchildren gather to plant a ceremonial tree each year, and the students share songs, drawings, and poems to make the day even more special. And one year, the newly planted tree took on a deeper meaning, serving as a memorial for a 9-year-old girl who had recently passed away.
This year’s annual celebration in Salem, Oregon, is a big deal for the community. The city’s mayor, Chris Hoy, shared his thoughts on the occasion: “The annual Arbor Day and Arbor Month celebrations in Salem symbolize our profound connection to the forests and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. These events bring our community together to plant trees, celebrate our urban canopy, and reaffirm our commitment to preserving green spaces.”
