Arbor Day May Be Over, but The Green Register Says:
Continue to Save, Protect & Defend Mother Nature All Year Long!
As we all know, Arbor Day has once again come and gone. However, the true meaning of this one ‘day’ is far more important than it has ever been before.
As many say, with the introduction of the Industrial Revolution came the first big strike against Mother Nature. As business grew the absolute ‘staples’ that we as a human race have to have in order to survive, began to slowly disappear. The issue of deforestation – where big corporations clear land for the next ‘up and coming strip-mall’ that we don’t need – has made the mighty trees that used to sit on undiscovered, vibrant lands become fewer and fewer in number. It took us a while, but it seems to finally be getting through to one and all that this is something that simply can NOT happen.
Arbor Day was created 140 years ago by a Nebraskan named, J. Sterling Morton. This is a man who, perhaps psychic-perhaps just overly-intelligent, proposed the nation’s first tree-planting holiday. A century later, the Arbor Day Foundation was launched, which is a truly amazing organization that brings ‘the spirit of conservation and stewardship’ to the forefront all year round. ALL YEAR ROUND. This is truly the phrase that we should concern ourselves with. Although it is lovely to have a national holiday once a year to remind us that this planet is a stunning piece of ‘natural machinery,’ we must also remember that it needs to be taken care of every single day.
The ‘green’ movement has become bigger and bigger around the globe over the last decade, because warnings are popping up all over the place showing that if we do not change what is happening – the utter depletion and contamination of our natural resource will make it almost impossible for our own children to have the ‘staples’ they need in order to survive…and breath fresh, clean air.
With that in mind, The Green Register – which is THE ‘voice’ for ecological salvation, works constantly with their website to provide everything from education materials 
to the latest environmental political battles to offering a slew of companies that are not only concerned with the bottom line – they are concerned as to HOW the money is actually made and not ruining the necessities of life in order to make it. The Green Register wants to make sure that everyone out there celebrates natural life every day. We can do this in a variety of ways – from speaking to kids in the classroom to planting trees in our own backyards, cleaning-up parks and getting involved in community events.
This year there were some truly magnificent people who showed the world what it was like to really care about Mother Nature. The Arbor Day Foundation, at this year’s 40th annual Arbor Day Awards held in Nebraska City, honored these fine men, women and organizations for all their incredible projects and the much-needed hand they gave to save our planet.
The first is Governor O’Malley. This is one politician who has actually stepped away from rhetoric and proved that he, as well as the rest of us, can do something to change the course of our futures. His words are words to live by: “Reversing deforestation is complicated; planting a tree is simple”
Governor Martin O’Malley is from Maryland and he was among sixteen organizations and individuals honored with an Arbor Day Award. He received the inaugural Vision Award, which was given in recognition of his extraordinary work promoting urban and forestland conservation and planting. He has also put his own spin on the often ideologically charged term “pro-growth,” broadening it to include growth in opportunity, quality-of-life and the enjoyment of earth’s bounty. “In Maryland,” the Governor said, “we consider ourselves pro-growth Americans.” …Something we all should be if we call the ‘Land of the Free’ our home.
We all need to believe in growing jobs, and growing opportunity. But we also need to grow healthy, educated children who know what it means to have trees in order to feed and cleanse a hungry world.
When accepting his award, the Governor stressed the importance of planting trees, by sharing with the audience a story of the child who asks her grandfather about the best time to plant a tree.
Her grandfather says, “Well, it takes time for those roots to go deep and for branches to spread…and so the most important time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.” When the little girl asks, “Well, when is the next best time to plant a tree,” the grandfather responds: “Right now!”
THIS is the type of intelligence we all need – whether it be in-office or on the street. Planting trees is crucial to this planet’s survival. And the process does take a great deal of time, so TODAY is the day for everyone to make that commitment and allow new roots to grow in their own backyard. Changing the world may sound difficult, but with organizations like The Green Register, everyone out there can find businesses that are truly dedicated to everything ‘green.’ From being able to find green building designs to park and community projects – the businesses that truly care are found on this amazing website.
Another amazing Arbor Day event came out of Wyoming – an event that, once again, is all about keeping the spirit of Arbor Day all year round.
In the very aptly named, Equality State, the two largest cities are Cheyenne and Casper. In fact, most of this particular state (which is truly beautiful is extremely sparse population-wise. The activities, however, that Wyoming is involved in and the vast array projects to keep up the vibrant natural resources that are imbedded in the vast lands of their state are extraordinary.
In fact, residents of Wyoming have often been an inspiration for the Arbor Day Foundation, as well as the rest of the world. Laurie’s Inn, is a Casper-based Nature Explore classroom – the first one certified in the U.S. The Inn owner and childcare provider, Laura Stadtfeld, shares the wonders of the outdoors with both children and their families. These classrooms are yet another amazing idea that each state should adopt in order to bring the much-needed information on nature to the next generation.
Another Wyoming resident hard at work is Lisa Olson, Director of forestry for Cheyenne. She was inspired by the awesome experience children were having at their tree house set up at the Arbor Day Farm. This is not only a fun place for kids to play, but they learn something about how to help and protect the world around them every single day.
Lisa was so inspired by these kids that now Cheyenne can claim a twenty-foot tall tower adjoining a grove of ponderosa pine trees in the City’s, Lions Park. This is not only a new object that the kids think is cool it has also become a true Cheyenne treasure. The success of this project is unbelievable and, again, something that all states and communities should look into doing in order to spread the ‘green’ word and save our trees.
The Green Register…The Arbor Day Foundation…there are SO many organizations out there who want to help the world improve. The upside? There are also millions of individuals who want to do their part, but most are just a bit confused or overwhelmed as to how to begin. Visit ArborDay.org. This site has everything from how to open a green classroom to gift ideas that are environmentally sound and fun to make. There is even nursery information as well as a tree guide to familiarize and educate yourself on the over 200 different species of trees out there!
Arbor Day 2012 has passed us by…but that doesn’t mean the good work has to end. Get Involved Today!
For more information go to:
www.thegreenregister.com
