The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. It was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton (1832-1902), a Nebraska journalist and politician originally from Michigan. Throughout his long and productive career, Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques in his adopted state and throughout the United States when he served as President Grover Clevelands Secretary of Agriculture. But his most important legacy is Arbor Day.
Morton (photo, right) felt that Nebraskas landscape and economy would benefit from the wide-scale planting of trees. He set an example himself planting orchards, shade trees and wind breaks on his own farm and he urged his neighbours to follow suit. Mortons real opportunity, though, arrived when he became a member of Nebraskas state board of agriculture. He proposed that a special day be set aside dedicated to tree planting and increasing awareness of the importance of trees. Nebraskas first Arbor Day was an amazing success. More than one million trees were planted. A second Arbor Day took place in 1884 and the young state made it an annual legal holiday in 1885, using April 22nd to coincide with Mortons birthday.
In the years following that first Arbor Day, Mortons idea spread beyond Nebraska with Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Ohio all proclaiming their own Arbor Days. Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day although the dates may vary in keeping with the local climate. (State Arbor Days) At the federal level, in 1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is also now celebrated in other countries including Australia. Variations are celebrated as Greening Week of Japan, The New Years Days of Trees in Israel, The Tree-loving Week of Korea, The Reforestation Week of Yugoslavia, The Students Afforestation Day of Iceland and The National Festival of Tree Planting in India. Julius Sterling Morton would be proud. Sometimes one good idea can make a real difference.
For the homeowner, Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property and plan for the future. Inspect your trees. Note any broken branches or evidence of disease or insect infestation. Think about how planting new trees might improve the look of your property or provide wind or heat protection. Take a trip to your local nursery to see whats available and to get new ideas. Walk around your neighbourhood. Are there any public areas where tree planting or tree maintenance might make a real difference to your community? Talk with your neighbours. Find out what their opinions are. And, oh yes, plant a tree.
上一篇: 元宵节英语作文 :正月十五中国节
下一篇: 谈谈英语写作中的时态和语态
国际英语资讯:Romanias first woman PM leads third left-wing cabinet
Red meat speech?
报告显示 女性读者更愿为电子书付费
国内英语资讯:Shanghai to add more free trade accounts: mayor
避孕药或有助于预防某些癌症
体坛英语资讯:Corinthians sign former Napoli defender Henrique
国际英语资讯:UN employees in Gaza protest against U.S. fund cuts
脱口秀女王无意参选,可把老外失望透了
每天做这一件事情就可以延缓衰老!
披萨里到底该不该放菠萝?
体坛英语资讯:Mourinho extends deal with Manchester United
The Cutest Diplomatic Officers 最可爱的外交官
这些日常用语原来都出自莎士比亚
2018格莱美:火星哥6项大奖领跑 Gaga惜败黄老板
在职场这样和同事说话更受欢迎
这些日常用语原来都出自莎士比亚
国内英语资讯:1st LD-Writethru: China pushes technology development to modernize agriculture
体坛英语资讯:Morocco, Sudan agree to cement football cooperation
柠檬水真的能让你更健康
Vampire Movies 吸血鬼电影
体坛英语资讯:Frankfurt beat Monchengladbach 2-0 in German Bundesliga
国内英语资讯:China, Chile agree to cement parliamentary exchanges
为什么一月的离婚率如此之高
告别胸闷的方法
国内英语资讯:ASEAN chief says ASEAN attaches importance to Chinas regional role
俄罗斯成千上万民众游行支持反对党
国际英语资讯:President Raul Castro chairs unveiling of Jose Martis sculpture brought from NY
国际英语资讯:Brexit could put Britains energy trade with EU at risk: report
发型师不会告诉你的那些秘密
体坛英语资讯:Former Brazil forward stabbed during robbery