
The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. It was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton (1832-1902), a Nebraska journalist and politician originally from Michigan. Throughout his long and productive career, Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques in his adopted state and throughout the United States when he served as President Grover Cleveland‘s Secretary of Agriculture. But his most important legacy is Arbor Day.
Morton (photo, right) felt that Nebraska‘s landscape and economy would benefit from the wide-scale planting of trees. He set an example himself planting orchards, shade trees and wind breaks on his own farm and he urged his neighbours to follow suit. Morton‘s real opportunity, though, arrived when he became a member of Nebraska‘s state board of agriculture. He proposed that a special day be set aside dedicated to tree planting and increasing awareness of the importance of trees. Nebraska‘s first Arbor Day was an amazing success. More than one million trees were planted. A second Arbor Day took place in 1884 and the young state made it an annual legal holiday in 1885, using April 22nd to coincide with Morton‘s birthday.
In the years following that first Arbor Day, Morton‘s idea spread beyond Nebraska with Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Ohio all proclaiming their own Arbor Days. Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day although the dates may vary in keeping with the local climate. (State Arbor Days) At the federal level, in 1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is also now celebrated in other countries including Australia. Variations are celebrated as ‘Greening Week‘ of Japan, ‘The New Year‘s Days of Trees‘ in Israel, ‘The Tree-loving Week‘ of Korea, ‘The Reforestation Week‘ of Yugoslavia, ‘The Students‘ Afforestation Day‘ of Iceland and ‘The National Festival of Tree Planting‘ in India. Julius Sterling Morton would be proud. Sometimes one good idea c can make a real difference.
For the homeowner, Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property and plan for the future. Inspect your trees. Note any broken branches or evidence of disease or insect infestation. Think about how planting new trees might improve the look of your property or provide wind or heat protection. Take a trip to your local nursery to see what‘s available and to get new ideas. Walk around your neighbourhood. Are there any public areas where tree planting or tree maintenance might make a real difference to your community? Talk with your neighbours. Find out what their opinions are. And, oh yes, plant a tree.
植树节英语作文:植树节2000字.doc正在阅读:
植树节英语作文:植树节2000字03-29
2017年浙江宁波大学体育综合考研真题(Word版)09-22
2021年西藏期货从业资格预约式考试报名时间:2020年12月2日-12月30日10-29
一次歌唱比赛作文600字06-30
[小学二年级主题班会教案设计]小学二年级主题班会教案12-14
2021年10月内蒙古通辽自考报名时间:9月13日至17日08-02
我会包书了作文300字08-08
加拿大留学申请文书怎么写?10-27
古代文言文短篇精选【七篇】03-26
我眼中的美丽乡村作文300字05-14