The concept for
Arbor Day originated in 1872, way back in the post-war Grant-era
(Ulysses S., not Lou, you silly goose). That was also the first year women were
allowed to vote; the year Yellowstone became the world's first national park; and the year Virginia opened up its first agricultural school. Women and nature were finally getting some respect. Take that, 1871! And my...how far we've come in 138 years, right? (That was a rhetorical question, because the answer is "uh, not really." Am I right? OK, also rhetorical.)
But let's be honest: Arbor Day is a wonderful tradition that, for more than a century, has inspired people all over the globe to give back to nature. Today, countries from Cambodia to Venezuela have a day dedicated to the tree. And while what we give back to the Earth that day doesn't equal near what we take, Arbor Day is a wonderful way to get in touch with nature, and to remind ourselves to give back in more ways than one.
Arbor Day in Minnesota is April 30th, but the little day has sprouted from a mere seedling into a celebration lasting all through May. Called
"From Small Seeds Grow BIG Dreams," the month-long celebration encourages planting, growing, and plenty of family-friendly, nature-loving fun and education all month long.
So how can you get involved? You can plant a tree or sow a seed first. And then you can head out to any of these great
Arbor Day celebrations and plantings all over Minnesota that nurture an environmental spirit and an appreciation for Mother Nature. And when you're all done? Hug a tree. That's right: Embrace that big ol' tree and your willingness to hug it. Whoever made that a bad thing to do, anyway? (That's another rhetorical question, in case you were wondering.) Yes, we can proudly say we like being treehuggers.