Latest news with #NationalArborDay
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Laos aims for 70 per cent forest cover to secure greener future
VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Laos continues its efforts to protect the environment and build a better future for the next generation by emphasising the vital role of forests in supporting livelihoods and mobilising people nationwide to help the government achieve its target of restoring forest cover to 70 per cent of the country's land area. To mark Laos' National Arbor Day on June 1, tree planting ceremonies will take place across the country. The National Arbor Day aims to raise public awareness, especially among youth, about the importance of forests and their sustainable use. The Lao government has prioritized forest management through policies and regulations aligned with national development goals. "I strongly support the government's goal to restore forest cover, as I believe it is essential for Laos' environmental health and future. "To succeed, the government should work closely with communities, enforce laws against illegal logging, and raise awareness about forest protection," Sengdeuan, an office worker in Lao capital Vientiane, told Xinhua. He emphasized that many villagers, especially young people, are eager to contribute by planting trees and conserving forests. "Restoring our forests is a shared responsibility that will help secure a greener, healthier Laos for generations to come," Sengdeuan added. Phongsavanh, a resident of southern Laos' Savannakhet, emphasized the vital importance of forests for both Laos and the world, highlighting their role in providing clean air, regulating the climate, and preserving biodiversity. "I believe that educating children about forest conservation from a young age is crucial. I urge families, schools, and all sectors to invest more in raising awareness and engaging youth in environmental protection," he said. Somchai, a resident of Vientiane province, emphasized that tree planting is a key step toward a greener future for Laos, highlighted the environmental benefits of trees and stressed that building a sustainable future starts with local communities joining hands to plant and protect them. She said that if everyone understands the importance of trees, we can make a real difference. She urged communities to join hands, work together, and make tree planting and forest protection regular activities. Ahead of the National Arbor Day, Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Linkham Douangsavanh urged citizens to protect the nation's forests through green and sustainable practices. He highlighted forests' vital role in preserving soil, water, and biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and rural livelihoods. He also emphasiised that sustainable forest management is key to reducing poverty among ethnic communities. The government is encouraging all public and private sectors, as well as communities across the country, to take part in tree-planting activities based on local conditions. - Xinhua
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arbor Day 2025: What to know about the holiday celebrating trees
Arbor Day is April 25, marking a day of hope and appreciation for trees and all that they bring to the environment for those who celebrate. Trees help to reduce the erosion of topsoil caused by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate temperatures, clean the air and also provide habitats for wildlife, according to the Arbor Day Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. Trees are renewable resources, or natural but limited energy resources that can be replenished, and Arbor Day is a day created to celebrate them. Arbor Day is also celebrated in other countries such as Barbados, China and the Philippines. In the U.S., it is commonly celebrated on the last Friday of April, but many states observe it on different dates depending on the best planting times in those areas, the Arbor Day Foundation said on its website. Celebrations include tree-planting events and seedling giveaways. Here's how Arbor Day came to be, and how people can get out of the house to celebrate. The holiday dates back to the 1800s, when journalist Julius Sterling Morton moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska with his wife. They moved there in 1854 and bought 160 acres of land, mostly on the flat plains, per The pair planted trees and shrubs, and when Morton became editor of the state's newspaper, Nebraska City News, he stressed just how vital plants and trees were. With rapid settlement and industrialization taking place during the late 19th century, a large amount of forest resources were consumed, according to the Forest Historical Society. The U.S. population tripled, and with each person came the plowing of another three to four acres of land. Morton also joined the Nebraska Board of Agriculture and in January 1872, he had an idea to encourage Nebraskans to plant trees in their communities. It was called "Sylvan Day," a nod to forest trees, and it was officially celebrated on April 10, 1872. Eventually, the day was known as Arbor Day, according to Arbor Day became an official state holiday in Nebraska in 1885, said on its website. Earth Day 2025: Why we celebrate the planet that keeps us grounded, how to get involved Arbor Day is not a federal holiday. However, it was first recognized nationally in 1970 by then-president Richard Nixon. Two years later, on April 24, 1972, Nixon issued a proclamation commemorating 100 years of Arbor Day. He quoted a monument in Nebraska City honoring Morton, who created Arbor Day. "Other Holidays Repose Upon The Past; Arbor Day Proposes For The Future," Nixon wrote in his proclamation. "So it does, for the planting of trees is an action that yields a long-range benefit on generations to come. Arbor Day uniquely symbolizes the truth that the earth belongs to every generation, not just to ours." He proclaimed April 28, 1972 as National Arbor Day and encouraged Americans across the country to celebrate and do what they could to spread the word of "the necessity and value of this elemental natural resource." When Arbor Day was first celebrated in April 1872, children in Nebraska planted more than one million trees, according to the Forest Historical Society. Tree-planting became even more popular among schools in 1882, and children were sent home with trees to plant in their own yards, reported While people of all ages celebrate Arbor Day, some notable children's activities the Arbor Day Foundation suggests include: Organizing nature art shows Baking cookies and cupcakes with tree designs Making green drinks such as bubble tea, milkshakes and iced coffee Planting, hugging, climbing, adopting, or sponsoring trees Getting outside to visit a local park or forest, or clean one up Organizing a nature or tree scavenger hunt Gathering a bag of leaves and trying to identify the species of trees Find out when Arbor Day is celebrated in your state, and which events are happening in your area at Contributing: Julia Gomez Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arbor Day 2025: What to know about the holiday celebrating trees
San Francisco Chronicle
22-04-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Oaks excel at supporting the food web (including us). Arbor Day is a reason to plant one
In 1872, a Nebraska newspaper editor and tree lover named J. Sterling Morton proposed dedicating a day to planting trees in his home state. The idea, shall we say, took root. That year, April 10 became the first organized Arbor Day, and approximately 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska. Two years later, Nebraska Gov. Robert Furnas proclaimed April 10 the state's Arbor Day. Other states soon set their own Arbor Day dates to coincide with the best time to plant trees there. And in 1970, President Richard Nixon declared the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day, although many states continue to observe their own, which sometimes align with the national holiday. If you plan to plant a tree this year, why not consider an oak? 'An oak is the best tree to choose because it is the No. 1 plant for supporting the food web, ' says University of Delaware entomologist and native plants champion Doug Tallamy, the New York Times bestselling author whose books include 'The Nature of Oaks.' 'Plants capture energy from the sun and, through photosynthesis, turn it into food — simple sugars and carbohydrates — that supports all the animals on the planet,' Tallamy explained. 'All life on Earth comes from energy provided by the sun,' he said. 'But we can't eat the sun. Plants allow us to do that. We're essentially eating energy from the sun because plants capture that energy and turn it into food — and oaks are the ones that share the most energy with other living things.' One reason oaks are so beneficial to the ecosystem is because, as native plants, they evolved alongside native insects, so those insects recognize them as food, Tallamy said. Oaks also belong to a large genus that's been around for 56 million years, so wildlife has had a lot of time to adapt to them. In all, there are 91 species of oaks across North America, so, he said, insects from coast to coast have adapted to them. 'A lot of people think they don't have a property big enough for an oak,' Tallamy said, 'but there are dwarf oaks, like Quercus prinoides, a dwarf chestnut oak. And as you go farther west, there are a lot more dwarf oaks' to choose from. Which oak do you want? When selecting any plant for your property, it's important to put the right plant in the right place. So Tallamy advises matching up your soil type and growing conditions with an appropriate oak species. 'Some oaks like acidic soil,' he said. 'There are oaks that like base soil. There are oaks that like rocky outcrops and ones that like bottomland.' Consider, too, your hardiness zone and the sunlight exposure of the site. 'If you put an oak in the front yard in the mid-Atlantic states, for example, it's going to support 557 species of caterpillars, and all of those are crucial food sources for birds,' Tallamy said. And I can't think of a better reason to plant an oak this Arbor Day. ___ Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice. ___
The Independent
22-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Oaks excel at supporting the food web (including us). Arbor Day is a reason to plant one
In 1872, a Nebraska newspaper editor and tree lover named J. Sterling Morton proposed dedicating a day to planting trees in his home state. The idea, shall we say, took root. That year, April 10 became the first organized Arbor Day, and approximately 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska. Two years later, Nebraska Gov. Robert Furnas proclaimed April 10 the state's Arbor Day. Other states soon set their own Arbor Day dates to coincide with the best time to plant trees there. And in 1970, President Richard Nixon declared the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day, although many states continue to observe their own, which sometimes align with the national holiday. If you plan to plant a tree this year, why not consider an oak? 'An oak is the best tree to choose because it is the No. 1 plant for supporting the food web, ' says University of Delaware entomologist and native plants champion Doug Tallamy, the New York Times bestselling author whose books include 'The Nature of Oaks.' ' Plants capture energy from the sun and, through photosynthesis, turn it into food — simple sugars and carbohydrates — that supports all the animals on the planet,' Tallamy explained. 'All life on Earth comes from energy provided by the sun,' he said. 'But we can't eat the sun. Plants allow us to do that. We're essentially eating energy from the sun because plants capture that energy and turn it into food — and oaks are the ones that share the most energy with other living things.' One reason oaks are so beneficial to the ecosystem is because, as native plants, they evolved alongside native insects, so those insects recognize them as food, Tallamy said. Oaks also belong to a large genus that's been around for 56 million years, so wildlife has had a lot of time to adapt to them. In all, there are 91 species of oaks across North America, so, he said, insects from coast to coast have adapted to them. 'A lot of people think they don't have a property big enough for an oak,' Tallamy said, 'but there are dwarf oaks, like Quercus prinoides, a dwarf chestnut oak. And as you go farther west, there are a lot more dwarf oaks' to choose from. Which oak do you want? When selecting any plant for your property, it's important to put the right plant in the right place. So Tallamy advises matching up your soil type and growing conditions with an appropriate oak species. 'Some oaks like acidic soil,' he said. 'There are oaks that like base soil. There are oaks that like rocky outcrops and ones that like bottomland.' Consider, too, your hardiness zone and the sunlight exposure of the site. 'If you put an oak in the front yard in the mid-Atlantic states, for example, it's going to support 557 species of caterpillars, and all of those are crucial food sources for birds,' Tallamy said. And I can't think of a better reason to plant an oak this Arbor Day. ___ Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice. ___ For more AP gardening stories, go to
Associated Press
22-04-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Oaks excel at supporting the food web (including us). Arbor Day is a reason to plant one
In 1872, a Nebraska newspaper editor and tree lover named J. Sterling Morton proposed dedicating a day to planting trees in his home state. The idea, shall we say, took root. That year, April 10 became the first organized Arbor Day, and approximately 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska. Two years later, Nebraska Gov. Robert Furnas proclaimed April 10 the state's Arbor Day. Other states soon set their own Arbor Day dates to coincide with the best time to plant trees there. And in 1970, President Richard Nixon declared the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day, although many states continue to observe their own, which sometimes align with the national holiday. If you plan to plant a tree this year, why not consider an oak? 'An oak is the best tree to choose because it is the No. 1 plant for supporting the food web, ' says University of Delaware entomologist and native plants champion Doug Tallamy, the New York Times bestselling author whose books include 'The Nature of Oaks.' 'Plants capture energy from the sun and, through photosynthesis, turn it into food — simple sugars and carbohydrates — that supports all the animals on the planet,' Tallamy explained. 'All life on Earth comes from energy provided by the sun,' he said. 'But we can't eat the sun. Plants allow us to do that. We're essentially eating energy from the sun because plants capture that energy and turn it into food — and oaks are the ones that share the most energy with other living things.' One reason oaks are so beneficial to the ecosystem is because, as native plants, they evolved alongside native insects, so those insects recognize them as food, Tallamy said. Oaks also belong to a large genus that's been around for 56 million years, so wildlife has had a lot of time to adapt to them. In all, there are 91 species of oaks across North America, so, he said, insects from coast to coast have adapted to them. 'A lot of people think they don't have a property big enough for an oak,' Tallamy said, 'but there are dwarf oaks, like Quercus prinoides, a dwarf chestnut oak. And as you go farther west, there are a lot more dwarf oaks' to choose from. Which oak do you want?When selecting any plant for your property, it's important to put the right plant in the right place. So Tallamy advises matching up your soil type and growing conditions with an appropriate oak species. 'Some oaks like acidic soil,' he said. 'There are oaks that like base soil. There are oaks that like rocky outcrops and ones that like bottomland.' Consider, too, your hardiness zone and the sunlight exposure of the site. 'If you put an oak in the front yard in the mid-Atlantic states, for example, it's going to support 557 species of caterpillars, and all of those are crucial food sources for birds,' Tallamy said. And I can't think of a better reason to plant an oak this Arbor Day. ___ Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice. ___ For more AP gardening stories, go to
