Arbor Day – April 27, 2007

For years I’ve seen Arbor Day come and go on the calendar and my only thought has been: “cool, a day to plant trees.” The thing is, I’ve never planted a tree on the day. So given my new outlook on all things green, I plan to plant one with my family this coming Friday.

Here is a collection of links you mind find useful for Arbor Day information and activities:

–> Arbor Day history
–> National Arbor Day Foundation
–> Arbor Day celebrations by state
–> Arbor Day for kids
–> More Kids
–> Arbor Day for teachers (activities suggestions)

What are the benefits to planting a tree? Well, aside from looking great and providing shade, there are some substantial green benefits. Trees purify our air by absorbing C02. Planting them prevents soil erosion and can help restore areas that are damaged by humans, animals, fires, disease or other natural causes. From –> Vanity Fair’s Green Issue: “It may seem like a very small contribution, but if 5 percent of the U.S. population were to germinate one tree in one year, there would be almost 15 million extra trees absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.” Talk about offsetting our carbon emissions! Trees are one of the best ways to accomplish that and frankly, it’s not that hard.

Companies are –> getting into the act. Citibank, my bank, has a –>Plant-a-Tree Program that will plant a tree for everyone of their customers who switches to paperless statements. A double-whamy! Save a few trees by foregoing paper statements and let them plant a tree for you. I encourage Citibank customers to take advantage of their program; I did this morning – twice! Maybe there are companies doing something similar out there. If anyone knows, please share. I do know that most of the companies I owe money to offer paperless statements via email, so take advantage of that.

So who is planting a tree on Friday?