The first Arbor Day was celebrated in April 1854 when J. Sterling Morton proposed a tree-planting holiday. The first Earth Day was observed on April 22, 1970. Arbor Day (as stated on the Arbor Day website) "celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care." The focus of Earth Day is on the environment. These April holidays have their differences, but both are about helping our planet to be healthy and a better place.
If you go back to the post I wrote last year about Arbor Day, you can learn more about Arbor Day and take a quiz to determine which tree your personality most resembles! In that post, I mentioned a tiny pine tree
seedling I had received several years before from the Arbor Day Foundation. It was only a few inches tall when I planted it (according to their directions) in a sheltered spot against our house. It thrived, but the location was much too close the side of the house for a pine tree, so it was time last spring to replant it. I am so happy to report that it survived the winter, and is healthy and growing well in a new location on our hillside.
While Earth Day's focus is on the environment, it always reminds me of another pressing issue for our world. It won't do us much good to take care of issues like climate change, pollution, water scarcity, deforestation, and waste management if humans continue to wage wars against each other. We need to preserve our planet - and learn to share it peacefully with each other.
Have you ever planted a tree seedling and watched it grow tall?
What do you think is our worst environmental issue?
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We've never lived in one house long enough to plant a tree & watch it grow! Maybe when we retire. Great post Susan - happy Earth Day!
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though our trees have grown quite quickly - or maybe it is just that time is flying by!
DeleteWe planted a tree in our backyard about 3 years ago. I wish it would grow a bit faster as it is supposed to be a plum tree but we've yet to see any.
ReplyDeleteI believe the worst environment issue the world is facing is overconsumption. It is impossible to sustain this kind of abuse of the world's limited resources. It is part of the reason I shop 90% thrift and vintage.
We have also stopped eating all meat including chicken. I never ate meat but my husband used to and gave it up completely about 4 months ago. I cannot abide by the mistreatment of animals for human consumption. It is a very small step, but I figure every step counts.
Happy Earth Day! Let's hope it's around for a while longer yet.
bisous
Suzanne
It sounds like you are doing a lot of good things for our earth, Suzanne - and setting a good example by your actions. We don't have any fruit trees on our property, but I hope you soon get to pick some plums!
DeleteMy daughter was born on Earth Day and it always serves as a reminder that we need to be kinder to our planet if we want to see her grow and enjoy all this world has to offer
ReplyDeleteAn Earth Day birthday is very special! I agree - we owe it to our children to take care of the world for them, and their children, and their children's children ...
DeleteI agree whole heartedly. Every day we should be caring for the earth and the trees.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly I am a giant redwood. And I don't think they were able to see me so it isn't a sizist thing.