Arbor Day unites Midland community through tree planting, education

From planting trees in a neighborhood park to teaching kids the value of environmental stewardship, Midland is celebrating Arbor Day with community-wide events, focusing on growth, education, and sustainability. 

Community tree planting set for April 25 at Wallen Park

ReLeaf Michigan, a statewide nonprofit focused on tree planting, is partnering with the City of Midland, the Arbor Day Foundation, and FedEx to plant 25 new trees at Wallen Park on Friday, April 25.

The project is supported in part by the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery Program, which is funded by FedEx and Arbor Day Foundation members. The program helps communities across the U.S. recover from natural disasters by replanting lost trees. Since its launch in 2005, it has helped distribute more than 5.3 million trees. 

“In the wake of natural disaster, trees can be the promise of hope a neighborhood needs in order to heal,” says Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “By replanting trees, local planting partners are taking meaningful action to foster resiliency in their communities and lay the roots of a greener future.”

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to join at 8:45 a.m. at 3302 Kentwood Drive in Midland to check in, enjoy light refreshments, and take part in a tree planting demonstration led by ReLeaf Michigan’s experts.

Parking will be available at Blessed Sacrament Church, located at 1605 E. Ashman St.

Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and dress comfortably to the rain-or-shine event. If possible, they should also bring a shovel, hard rake, soil knife, hand pruners and work gloves. No previous planting experience is necessary.

Those interested in volunteering are asked to RSVP at www.releafmichigan.org/rsvp.

Dow Gardens brings Arbor Day to the classroom

Dow Gardens is celebrating Arbor Day by bringing hands-on learning and environmental stewardship to six local elementary schools later this month.
From April 22 through 25, the Dow Gardens team of botanical experts will visit Chestnut Hill, Woodcrest, Central Park, Plymouth, Adams, and Siebert elementary schools. Through interactive lessons and demonstrations, the goal is to inspire the next generation of tree stewards.

Students will explore the history of Arbor Day,  first established in 1872 by Michigan native Sterling Morton. Students can part in activities including “Lumbering Lingo from 1800s Michigan,” “What an Arborist Does and Tools of the Trade,” and “Why Trees Matter.”

“Arbor Day is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community, educate young minds, and encourage the act of planting trees,” says Carolynn Paten, director of programming and guest services at Dow Gardens
Each student will also get the chance to pot a Canaan fir tree to take home with them.

“By providing students with both knowledge and a tree to plant, we hope to inspire a lifelong appreciation for nature,” says Paten.

Michigan became the third state to celebrate Arbor Day in 1881. Dow Gardens says it’s proud to carry that tradition forward by promoting environmental awareness and community involvement.