The Geneseo High School Environmental Club dedicated a tree on Arbor Day, April 25th, 2025. All students present gave a few words on why trees and the environment are important. Mayor Sean Johnson, City Administrator Brandon Maeglin, several city council members, department heads, and staff members were in attendance.
Arbor Day is a special holiday dedicated to the planting and care of trees, with roots tracing back to the 19th century in the United States. The idea for Arbor Day was proposed by Julius Sterling Morton, a newspaper editor and nature lover who had moved to the largely treeless plains of Nebraska. He recognized the importance of trees for providing shade, fuel, building materials, and preventing soil erosion. Morton used his position to advocate for tree planting, and on April 10, 1872, the first Arbor Day was held in Nebraska, during which an estimated one million trees were planted.
The GHS Environmental Club all gave a few words on Friday, April 25th. Photo by Geneseo Current
The success of that first Arbor Day led to its rapid spread. In 1885, Nebraska declared it a legal state holiday, setting the date as April 22 in honor of Morton's birthday. As the benefits of tree planting became more widely recognized, other states began to adopt the idea as well. By the early 1900s, schools across the country were observing Arbor Day with tree plantings and educational activities, helping to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in young students.
Over time, Arbor Day grew from a local event into a national tradition. The official National Arbor Day in the United States is now observed on the last Friday in April. However, many states celebrate it at different times of the year to align with the best local climate for planting. Arbor Day has also become a global movement, with countries like Japan, Australia, and South Korea establishing their own versions of the holiday to promote reforestation and conservation.
The GHS Environmental Club spreads mulch around the newly planted tree. Photo by Geneseo Current
Today, Arbor Day continues to be an important reminder of the role trees play in sustaining life on Earth. From providing oxygen and improving air quality to offering habitats for wildlife, trees are essential to the health of our planet. Arbor Day serves not only as a day of action but also as a celebration of nature and a call to protect it for future generations.
