Foresters and staff members from Texas A&M Forest Service celebrated Texas Arbor Day on Nov. 3, with school presentations, tree plantings and tree giveaways across the state.
Over 9,600 tree seedlings were given to students, organizations and communities throughout the day. More than 70 Texas A&M Forest Service employees made Texas Arbor Day presentations at 36 schools and organizations.
The presentations reached more than 8,000 students at campuses in Austin, Leander, San Marcus, Mabank, Longview, Houston, College Station, Gilmer, Orange, Paris, Tomball, Mesquite, Burleson, Justin, Black Springs, Dallas, McGregor, New Braunfels, San Antonio, Brownsville, Hidalgo, El Paso, Lubbock and Ralls.
“Texas Arbor Day is a special day to celebrate trees and the benefits they provide, benefits like clean air, clean water, cooler temperatures and even improved health,” said Gretchen Riley, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Systems Department Head. “What better place to talk about the importance and value of trees than with the next generation of stewards.”
Along with presentations, Texas A&M Forest Service staff planted 3-gallon trees on school campuses, donated by the Texas Trees Foundation. Seven thousand bur oak and loblolly pine seedlings, donated by Texas A&M Forest Service, were also distributed to students.The presentations, customized to the student’s grade level, explained the life cycle of trees and the many benefits they provide humans and our economy, as well as the history of Texas Arbor Day.
Separately, 760 bur oak seedlings were distributed to 38 organizations for planting across the state to celebrate Texas Arbor Day. Texas Arbor Day partners include the Texas Forestry Association and the Texas Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture.
In Spring, 70 mature trees were planted along the esplanades of Cypress Drive in a Green Futures corporate sustainability partnership coordinated by Texas A&M Forest Service. The treeplanting project is an effort to address the impacts of the urban heat island affecting the Houston greater area. Urban heat islands are areas with elevated temperatures due to a lack of green space and have far-reaching effects on public health, energy consumption and overall quality of life.
Other project partners were Repsol, the Texas Conservation Alliance, the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Trees for Houston, Harris County Precinct 3 and the National Association of Conservation Districts.
Texas celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday of November, increasing awareness of the benefits and value of trees.
Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation declaring Nov. 3 to be Texas Arbor Day.
“Trees in Texas play a vital role in our state’s economy and environment,” Governor Abbott said in the proclamation. “Not mere sights to behold, our trees provide shade against the Texas sun, control soil erosion, and produce fruit as well as our famous Texas pecans.”
Arbor Day in the United States began in Nebraska in 1872 when residents recognized the benefits of trees.
Arbor Day first appeared in Temple on Feb. 22, 1889, when W. Goodrich Jones led a mass meeting to call for a tree planting campaign along the streets of the city. One year later, the first statewide observance of Arbor Day was held in Austin.
Research has shown that trees boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and reduce stress, among other health benefits. Trees also contribute to the economy, with the state’s forest sector supporting more than 170,000 jobs.
“We must protect and preserve our heritage trees, and to this end, many men and women celebrate Texas Arbor Day each year by planting new trees,” said Governor Abbott. “I encourage everyone to recognize the immense value of our trees and to preserve the treasure that is Texas. By supporting conservation efforts, we will ensure future generations to come.”