Arbor Day began in Nebraska over 150 years ago!
The pioneers found the territory nearly bare of trees, except for the river valleys. Early photographs show Lincoln as a treeless town. J. Sterling Morton, Nebraska City newspaper editor, advocated for tree planting and the first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872. It became a legal state holiday in 1876, designated as April 22nd. In the U.S., National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, while the best day locally for tree planting are observed in many states. This map shows the date of Arbor Day in each U.S. state. Arbor Day's popularity and observance has grown to be celebrated around the world: Find out when people across the globe celebrate trees. 
Earth Day is about a century younger, and was first celebrated in the U.S. on April 22, 1970. The publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, in 1962, is often credited with creating awareness and bringing the environmental movement to the forefront. Earth Day went global in 1990 and continues to grow in worldwide involvement, education and action. The theme for 2023 is again Invest in Our Planet™. Check out MOBILIZEU for ways college organizations and students can get involved, make a difference on campus and set an example for the higher education community to follow. Earth Day 2023
Local Events & Virtual Events
