Arbor Day
"Arbor" means "trees"...and Arbor Day is a day dedicated to
trees. Many think of it as the "tree planting" holiday, but it is better
thought of as a "tree caring" holiday- a day dedicated to the planting and care
of shade and forest trees.
Arbor Day in New Hampshire is observed every
year on the last Friday in April. It is a unique holiday- planting a tree looks
to the future and not at some past happening, as is the case of most holidays.
New Hampshire extends the celebration with Forest Conservation Week, which
begins the day after Arbor Day.
This special day was first adopted by
the State of Nebraska in 1872. The idea swiftly spread across the country. New
Hampshire's first official Arbor Day was proclaimed on April 29, 1886 by
Governor Moody Currier who advocated reforestation of waste and cutover lands,
and planting of shade and ornamental trees and shrubs around homes, along
highways, and other public places. Today every state has an official date for
Arbor Day.
Every year the "National Arbor Day
Foundation" sponsors an Arbor Day poster
contest. Click below, to view past winning entries:
- 2004 first place - Deidre R, Matthew Thornton School in Londonderry
- 2004 honorable mention - Danielle B, Ashland School in Ashland
- 2003 first place - Stephanie P, Matthew Thornton School in Londonderry
- 2003 honorable mention - Sam H, InfantJesus School in Nashua
- 2002 first place - Sasha L, Rindge Memorial School
- 2002 honorable mention- Lauren M., Infant Jesus School in Nashua
The above was adapted from a NH Project Learning Tree, "Teacher's Guide for Arbor Day & Tree Planting Celebrations in New Hampshire" (focus on grades 3-6). Copies are available from the Forestry Information Center. When sending an email please provide contact information (phone number and post office address). The center can also be reached for callers in any of the New England states at 1-800-444-8978. The postal address is Rm 211 Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street, Durham, NH, 03824.
