Friday is National Arbor Day. As communities, schools, organizations, companies, and residents adjust to a new routine, there is still a lot of uncertainty (and anxiety) in the air. We’re witnessing shutdowns and event cancellations across the country to slow the spread of COVID-19.
But the spirit of Arbor Day remains strong. This public health crisis has taught us to be more agile and creative in finding ways to celebrate trees and connect with nature. After all, there are many benefits to being around trees, including less stress.
Here are six easy ways you can celebrate Arbor Day while practicing social distancing.
1. Hike Through a Forest
Find a nearby trail in a forest (or park) and go for a walk, hike, or bike ride. Natural settings are effective in lowering stress. Exercising outdoors compared to exercising indoors helps people feel more revitalized, engaged with others, and less tense.
2. Online Nature Learning
When you can’t make it outdoors, stay in and learn about it. Carly’s Kids Corner is full of fun and educational resources to connect children with nature. The site, arborday.org/kids includes interactive games that highlight that value of trees.
3. Draw Your Favorite Trees
This is a great activity to do with young ones. Bring out the colored pencils and crayons and start drawing your best artwork. You could even use it as an extension of Carly’s Kids Corners by trying to identify the trees and including some tree facts.
4. Nature-based Crafts
Indoor days are perfect for arts and crafts. Pinterest is full of creative ideas for crafts made with natural materials like pine cones, needles, leaves, and twigs. See what you can find in your backyard and let your imagination get to work.
5. Order a Tree
Can one ever have too many trees? Whether you find a tree from a local nursery or the Arbor Day Foundation Tree Nursery, nothing says Arbor Day like buying and planting a tree. The tree you plant will benefit your whole community. Times like these remind us of the importance of healthy communities.
6. Become a Member
When you become a member of the Arbor Day Foundation, you support tree planting efforts around the globe.
There is a lot of uncertainty in the air. Although we don’t know what the coming weeks look like, it’s still important to take time to pause, relax, and continue to celebrate the good things. Trees are proven to reduce stress and improve well-being. If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time.
Have a happy and healthy Arbor Day!
