2018 Arbor Day Celebrations

Each year, Delaware celebrates the last Friday in April as “Arbor Day,” an occasion to plant trees and spotlight the numerous natural benefits that trees provide. First established in the United States by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 (almost a hundred years before Earth Day was introduced), an estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the very first Arbor Day.  Arbor Day observances are also an integral part of community recognition programs such as Tree Campus USA, Tree City USA, and Delaware’s Tree Friendly Community Award, as well as qualifying for a financial award from the Urban Grant Program.

Many communities and organizations in the First State have announced plans to commemorate Arbor Day throughout April and the first week of May. Here is a list of planned observances and celebrations:

U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper helped plant an American holly tree at Dover Air Force Base to commemorate Arbor Day in the First State. (photo by John Petersen, Delaware Forest Service).

In 2017, U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper helped plant an American holly tree at Dover Air Force Base to commemorate Arbor Day in the First State. (photo by John Petersen, Delaware Forest Service).

Col. Randy Boswell, 436th Mission Support Group commander, holds the Tree City USA flag with Master Sgt. Donald Bourne, 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron airframe powerplant general section chief, and his family April 28, 2017, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Bourne's daughter, Audriana, won the Kindergarten-level for Kent County in an Arbor Day poster contest. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Col. Randy Boswell, 436th Mission Support Group commander, holds the 25th Year Tree City USA flag with Master Sgt. Donald Bourne, 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron airframe powerplant general section chief, and his family on April 28, 2017, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Bourne’s daughter, Audriana, won the Kindergarten-level for Kent County in an Arbor Day poster contest. (photo by John Petersen)

Links to Past Celebrations: