Arbor Day: A Tree per Year!

A very special tradition that dates back almost five hundred years! Worth the risk of saying that it’s one of the most honorable and environmentally positive traditions we have worldwide. Having its beginnings in Spain, in 1594, the concept of Arbor Day quickly spread throughout Europe and then to North America, where it became an annual celebration in the United States in 1872. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in many parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, and South America!

“Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.” - J. Sterling Morton

Over the years, it has become a key event in the environmental calendar, with numerous positive achievements. The gesture serves as worldwide inspiration, leading to a chain of beautiful related accomplishments:

• In 2017, the African country of Ethiopia broke the world record for tree-planting in a single day, with 350 million trees planted in just 12 hours, as a part of their Green Legacy initiative to combat deforestation.

• In 2019, the International Tree Foundation (ITF) planted over 100,000 trees around the world, in countries including Cameroon, Kenya, and the Philippines, helping to combat climate change and provide vital habitats for local wildlife.

• Trees planted on National Tree Day are estimated to have absorbed over 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere so far.

As we know, trees have been around for millions of years and we wouldn’t be here without them. Here are three reasons why they’re natures MVP, offering numerous benefits to our environment and wildlife:

• They produce oxygen and absorb harmful greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, through natural photosynthesis;

• They serve as a home for wild animals, birds, and insects, acting as shade sanctuaries and protecting living beings from extreme temperatures and storms;

• Improve neighborhoods, reducing adverse effects from man-made environmental changes, and even act as natural flood control;

International Arbor Day has proven to be a vital celebration that reminds us of the importance of trees in creating a sustainable environment. It is a chance for us to appreciate the natural world and take positive steps toward protecting it.

The best part is that we can dedicate the tree we plant to a loved one, making it even more special!

We’ll see you next week!