How Nebraska Started a Holiday That Grew Around the World
When the snow melts, the air warms up, and everything starts turning green again, you know we’re nearing one of Nebraska’s best traditions: Arbor Day.
Kids around the country know Arbor Day as the day you plant trees, but Nebraska has a bigger connection to this holiday. That’s because Arbor Day actually began right here in our state more than 150 years ago.
The Power of Planting
Back in the 1800s, when settlers first arrived in Nebraska, they found something surprising: almost no trees. The prairie stretched for miles, but the land had little relief from the sun, almost no wood for building homes, and nothing to block the strong winds.
J. Sterling Morton noticed the need for more trees right away when he moved to Nebraska City in 1854. Morton loved nature and believed that trees were important for healthy communities.
Through his newspaper, he rallied Nebraskans to plant trees for shade, wind protection, lumber, and fruit.
On April 10, 1872, Nebraska celebrated the first Arbor Day, and it was a huge success. People across the state planted more than one million trees in a single day.
Nebraskans loved the idea so much that in 1885, Arbor Day became an official state holiday. Now, it is celebrated yearly in every state on the last Friday in April—even other countries have adopted the tradition! The civic holiday’s roots will always be in Nebraska.
Why Trees are a Big Deal
Arbor Day has always been about understanding why trees matter, especially in Nebraska.
Clean Air
Trees remove carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping all living things breathe.
A Home for Animals
Birds, squirrels, insects, and even owls depend on trees for food and shelter.
Protect the Land
Before trees were planted, strong winds could blow away soil and damage farms. Tree lines, called shelterbelts, still protect fields and communities today.
Keep us Cool
Shaded areas can be several degrees cooler, which really helps during hot Nebraska summers.
Beautify Cities and Parks
Trees turn streets into inviting spaces, add color in every season, and make outdoor time more enjoyable.
Arbor Day in Lincoln Today
Lincoln is known for being one of the most tree-friendly cities in the Midwest. The city has more than 130,000 street trees and has been recognized as a Tree City USA community for over 40 years!
It’s a good bet that your school holds an Arbor Day activity every year. From planting trees on school grounds to doing science projects about ecosystems, there are lots of ways Arbor Day could be celebrated at your school.
Local organizations such as the Arbor Day Foundation and Lincoln Parks and Recreation also host family-friendly events that teach people how to care for trees.
How YOU Can Celebrate
You don’t have to be an adult or have a big backyard to make a difference. Here are some fun ways to celebrate Arbor Day:
Plant a tree with your family or school.
Start a tree-watching journal and track how a tree changes through the year.
Visit a Lincoln park or trail and see how many tree types you can identify.
Help the environment by recycling and using less plastic.
Read about trees—there are so many wonderful books and graphic novels about nature. Two of our favorites are The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein and The Lorax by Dr. Seuss!
Growing Nebraska’s Future
Arbor Day began with one person who believed trees could make life better, and every tree planted since then has helped shape Nebraska into the beautiful state it is today.
This spring, when you see new leaves growing or plant a tree of your own, remember: Nebraska invented Arbor Day. Now it’s up to all of us to keep the tradition growing.