MICHIGAN – Michigan Arbor Day Alliance reminds Michigan communities to celebrate Arbor Day this year on Friday, April 24^th 2009.  Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is organizing a State Arbor Day Celebration at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.  Over 1200 second and third graders with teachers and chaperones are expected to attend.  Community Arbor Day Celebrations can also be found on our website, www. miarborday.citymax.com.   

            Michigan Arbor Day Alliance offers the following suggestions to celebrate Arbor Day: plant a tree, take a nature walk, support local conservation efforts, volunteer, recycle, use reusable grocery bags, organize a celebration for your community, read environmental education books to classrooms, visit a local park, create art projects from recyclable materials, or organize a community beautification project.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872.  J. Sterling Morton, a pioneer and journalist championed the idea of a "tree planting" holiday in the Nebraska Territory.  In the 1800's, the plains had been cleared for building materials, fuel and farming.  It is estimated that Nebraskans planted over 1 million trees that first Arbor Day.  In 1885, the Michigan Legislature resolved "that the Governor is hereby requested to call the attention of the people of the state to the importance of planting trees for ornament and by naming a day upon which the work shall be given special attention to be known as Arbor Day." Each year the Governor and Michigan Legislature proclaim the last week in April as Arbor Week and Arbor Day as the last Friday of that week.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance (MADA) is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan.  Our dedication comes from our belief in the importance of trees and their role in community health and well-being.  Since 1993, MADA has provided educational programs and services to Michigan communities.