West Cape May School Marks Arbor Day

WEST CAPE MAY – The entire K-6 student population of West Cape May Elementary School was planning for a while the celebration that took place April 28 on an afternoon conducive to honoring the natural world, especially trees. 
“Every year for Arbor Day we do some type of activity, and we’re really excited about this year since we will be planting real trees,” said school Supervisor Maureen McLaughlin.
Through the generosity of some local citizens, a couple of who are parents of students; all were treated to a spring day, receive a tree for their own home gardens and also help plant new trees.
The trees that the children received, a selection of maple, redbud, dogwood and cedar, were donated by local builder Paul Burgin.
The excitement generated was evident by smiles and laughter.
West Cape May Deputy Mayor Peter Burke described the importance of trees to the world: replenishing oxygen, providing shade, serving as a wildlife habitat, preventing soil erosion and flooding, and so many other benefits. And as one second-grader noted, “You can climb on trees, so they are fun.”
Matthew Notch, a certified arborist, a member of the West Cape May Shade Tree Commission and parent of a first-grader, presented facts about the history of Arbor Day.
The celebration is an annual observance in the nation and around the world that recognizes the important part trees play by promoting tree planting and care.
The West Cape May Shade Tree Commission has been designated a Tree City USA for 19 consecutive years by the Arbor Day Foundation.
As a formal holiday, and according to the foundation’s website, Arbor Day was first observed in 1872 in Nebraska. Julius Morton encouraged fellow residents to plant over 1 million trees on one day to help that state combat its serious soil erosion problem.
Tree planting festivals though are as old as civilization.
The tree has appeared throughout history and literature as the symbol of life.
Arbor Day originally was celebrated on Morton’s birthday, April 22. In the U.S. the day is celebrated in many states, including New Jersey, on the last Friday in April, although each state determines when to hold Arbor Day festivities depending on spring planting climate and temperature.
Notch explained that the idea for Arbor Day in America originated in Nebraska City. That is where, among the pioneers, was Morton from Detroit. He moved into the Nebraska Territory in 1854.
He and his wife, Caroline, were lovers of nature, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Morton was a journalist and soon became editor of Nebraska’s first newspaper. Given that forum, he spread agricultural information and his enthusiasm for trees to a receptive audience.
His fellow pioneers missed their trees and needed them for windbreaks, fuel, building materials and shade from the hot prairie sun.
A visit to Nebraska today wouldn’t show the state was once a treeless plain, yet it was the lack of trees there that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800s.
From the heartland of America, Arbor Day reached popularity in all 50 states.
In Israel, the annual tree-planting day is called the New Year’s Day of the Trees; Korea has a Tree-Loving Week; Iceland has a Student’s Afforestation Day; Yugoslavia holds an Arbor Day in the spring and an Afforestation Day in the fall, and India celebrates a National Festival of Tree Planting.
It was appropriate that the youngsters, the future generation that will carry forward protection of the environment, of West Cape May Elementary School were so engaged in Arbor Day since the holiday is one of hope and a better future represented by spring and the renewal of life by flowers, plants, and trees.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.