Friday, April 24 is Arbor Day!

In New Jersey, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Arbor Day is a unique holiday as proclaimed by its founder, J. Sterling Morton, “Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future.” New Jersey has been observing Arbor Day since 1884. Arbor Day was created to recognize the importance of trees, which are as important today as they were in 1884 and are a key part of the solution to the environmental challenges our planet faces today.

The Borough of Rumson is one of the leader’s in the State in managing its public trees. This year marks the 29th consecutive year that the Borough has been recognized as a Tree City USA. The Tree City USA program is administered by the Arbor Day Foundation and US Forest Service and recognizes communities across the country that have made a commitment to manage and expand their public trees. Borough leaders, Shade Tree Commission volunteers and Borough staff work together each year to accomplish this coveted award.

The Shade Tree Commission is celebrating Arbor Day virtually this year. In lieu of visiting the kindergarten classes at Deane Porter School, a video has been prepared for the students, teaching the importance of trees as well as providing some fun at-home activities.

The Commission encourages all residents to participate in Arbor Day by planting a tree or hiking through a forest when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, you can celebrate online at https://celebratearborday.com/

You can also celebrate Arbor Day in a big way on social media too!
#ARBORDAYATHOME