The Traveler

Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Larry Ash Kristen Karnes (left) a freshman from Atlanta and Kelsey Krieber a freshman from Chouteau, Okla., enjoy the sun from a perch on the side of Old Main.

Arbor Day, a day devoted to planting trees, recycling paper and performing other eco-friendly tasks, will be celebrated across the country today, and UA students and Fayetteville residents also are taking part to help save the environment and restore Fayetteville after January's ice storm.

This year, trees will be given away at the Fayetteville Farmers' Market Saturday, April 25.

"The limit is one per person, and no proof of residence is required," said Cara Corbin, assistant manager of the market.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan also will be present at the market to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"This is the city's response to the ice storm," Corbin said. "We are giving away trees to be planted to make up the damage."

The Saturday Farmers' Market also will include activities for children, who can participate in Arbor Day by planting trees and learning about recycling and global warming.

In addition, Eureka Pizza has been giving away Red Oak and Mulberry trees this week to customers with a minimum $10 purchase.

However, celebrating Arbor Day is not limited to planting trees - citizens across the country participate by hosting recycling drives and neighborhood meetings to discuss caring for trees in the community. The Arbor Day Foundation also suggests simply taking a walk to enjoy the beauty of trees or listening to nature-related songs, like Jack Johnson's "Do You Remember," which laments the death of a neighborhood tree that was a part of the singer's memories and strong emotional ties.

Traditionally celebrated the last Friday in April (though some states participate during different months, depending on what time of the year is best for tree-planting in that area), Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, a journalist in Nebraska City, Neb. The first Arbor Day, when an estimated 1 million trees were planted, concluded with Morton's words, "A celebration of this kind results in good to all and is worthy of imitation by every school in the state," according to the Nebraska City News of 1885.

Little did Morton know that the tradition would carry on more than 135 years later, with annual international awards, a line of products and participants from all across the country.

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