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Trees Atlanta Celebrates with a Week of Events:
February 15 – 21, 2021

Trees Atlanta celebrates Georgia Arbor Day with a week-long series of events, including daily events such as free Seedling Giveaway, classes, and tree planting projects in the founding spirit of Arbor Day!

Schedule

Each event requires registration or special instructions, sign up through the links below.

• Monday, 2/15 – Lunch and Learn: Celebrate Arbor Day  Review the impact of our tree plantings with our Director of Planting, Dave Simpson. Get to know our tree selection, including our 10 favorite trees and some transformational before and after photos of trees planted in the past.
• Tuesday, 2/16 – Georgia Arbor Day Art & Essay Contest  This year’s theme is “Wildlife and Trees in the City”. Students are encouraged to use their creativity to interpret/show us what the theme means to them. (Flyer and contest guidelines in details, submissions being accepted now. Deadline 2/16)
• Tuesday, 2/16 – Speaker Series: Tribute to John Lewis  We are excited to host a joint conversation with Calinda Lee, from The National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Willette Jackson who is the lead coordinator of the Flowering Forest Tree Tribute to John Lewis.

• Wednesday, 2/17 – Ask the Arborist   We excited to introduce a new interactive series with ISA-certified arborists. Register to submit questions for consideration, and the arborist will answer them live during this Ask the Arborist hour. In partnership with Georgia Arborist Association, our featured arborists this month are:

Christie Bryant		Tabitha Schwartz		In Partnership with:
Speaking for the Tree		Trees Atlanta		Georgia Arborist Association

• Thursday & Friday, 2/18 & 2/19 – Seedling Giveaway  One of our favorite part of celebrating Georgia Arbor Day is the Seedling Giveaway! Come by for a drive-in seedling giveaway on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. View event to review species available. Seedlings are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Friday, 2/19 Georgia Arbor Day We’re announcing the winners of the Georgia Arbor Day Art & Essay Contest on our Instagram and Facebook page. Follow us to see how we’re protecting and improving Atlanta’s urban forest! We’d love to see your post of your favorite tree or a photo of you planting a tree. Tag us @treesatlanta #arborday .
• Friday, 2/19 – 2021 Atlanta Champion Tree List release. View the new ranking of Atlanta’s most notable trees.
• Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 2/19, 2/20 & 2/21 – Blooming Forest – Tree Tribute to Congressman John Lewis  Honoring a life-long legacy of public service, a living tree tribute is being created in memorial to the late Congressman John Lewis in Freedom Park. Hundreds of blooming plants, including over 300 blooming trees, colorful flowering shrubs, and fields of daffodils will be planted in the first phase of a multi-year project in partnership with Trees Atlanta, Freedom Park Conservancy, and The National Center for Civic and Human Rights. Register to volunteer.

(c) Freedom Park Conservancy, rendering by SWA Group.

• Saturday, 2/20 – Virtual Family Fun: Edible Compost in a Bag  What do worms, banana peels, and soil have in common? Dig in with us as we explore the fascinating world of compost.
• Saturday, 2/20 – Volunteer Project: Plant Care in the BeltLine Arboretum (Eastside Trail)  In addition to the tree planting project at John Lewis Plaza, we have a fun volunteer opportunity on the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum.

We hope you can join us!

If you can’t get outdoor or attend one of our many Celebration Week events, there are other ways to celebrate trees from your home:

• Inspire. Spark an appreciation of nature and environmental stewardship. Take a friend or a child on a hike, explore a local park, or create art with natural materials.
• Give. Consider donating to your favorite tree organization. Your donations help to continue plant and care for more trees and expand awareness and education.
• Share. Celebrate #arborday and @treesatlanta on social media. Helping to spread the word about the benefit of trees is a power way to honor Arbor Day.

Posted: 1/21/21

Why is Arbor Day in February? Isn’t it in April?

National Arbor Day is celebrated in April.  What you may not know is that each state celebrates Arbor Day from January to May depending on the regional season for planting trees.

The State of Georgia celebrates its Arbor Day on the third Friday in February.

It is a day to reflect on the importance of trees in our state and across our nation. Scientific research is increasing adding to the evidence that trees are essential to global environmental health. So go plant a tree, play outside, enjoy the beauty of trees, create art inspired by trees, or honor trees in any way that pleases you!

History of Arbor Day

Arbor Day is a celebration of trees! “The History of Arbor Day“, as written by the Arbor Day Foundation says:

Arbor Day was officially proclaimed in 1874 by Nebraska’s Governor, Robert W. Furnas, and the day was observed April 10 that year. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal state holiday in Nebraska, and April 22 was selected as the date for its permanent annual observance.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Read more.