Arbor Day Newsletter July/August 2021

J U LY / AU G U S T

BRINGING THE MISSION TO LIFE IN NEW AND EXCITING WAYS AT ARBOR DAY FARM

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A R B O R D AY. O R G

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION CHIEF EXECUTIVE,

Matt Harris A RB OR DAY J OU RNA L

WE ARE ALWAYS GRATEFUL for Arbor Day Foundation members who receive their 10 trees each year to plant in their yards. Each of you is furthering our tree planting mission and supporting a greener future. It is core to who we are as a membership organization.

As those trees grow, they are providing benefits for everyone to enjoy.

But with the heat of summer reminding me that we are in the height of an extended wildfire season, I want to also thank so many of our members who choose to have those 10 trees planted in one of our nation’s forests. The need for trees grows as the intensity of natural disasters increases and as our planting partnerships expand to meet that need.

We are humbled by the trust you place in the Foundation, allowing us to ensure that your trees are planted where they can make the most difference. Because of your selfless choice, more than 100 million trees have been planted where forest restoration is desperately needed. And they are planted all across the country — in areas such as the critical watersheds of Oregon’s Willamette River Valley, former mine lands in the Alleghany Mountains, disaster-stricken forestland in Texas, and wildfire-ravaged National Forests scattered across the countryside.

These trees are thriving in forests that would otherwise struggle to regenerate naturally, and our members are the ones who make it possible.

When a critical need for trees arises — when a forest in crisis must be restored — our phones ring. And together, you and I are answering the call. Thank you for your ongoing support and your belief that trees are an important part of the solution.

EL YUNQUE Puerto Rico

NATIONAL FOREST

RESTORING TREE CANOPY AND HOPE In 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria carved a path of destruction in Puerto Rico. Heavy rain and up to 155-mileper-hour winds led to power outages, infrastructure damage, flooding, and a shortage of fresh food and water. These two storms — only two weeks apart — left the island in an alarming state of emergency.

As recovery began throughout the island, the U.S. Forest Service focused on assessing the damage to El Yunque National Forest. And it was extensive. “I was really surprised and shocked when we came back to the forest,” said Ricardo Santiago Garcia, El Yunque National Forest’s forest ecologist. “The defoliation and the mortality was so high that the landscape was completely changed. In some areas, it was completely unrecognizable.” Also lost in the storm were most of a wild population of endangered Puerto Rican parrots that relied on the forest for habitat.

REBUILDING AND REPLANTING The Arbor Day Foundation didn’t hesitate to step up when asked for assistance with forest restoration efforts. Unlike so many other National Forests we help to replant, however, El Yunque National Forest required more than tree planting. The nursery that had been important to maintaining forest health was also destroyed. Without it, a continuous and cost-effective source of seedlings would not be available.

Through support from select donors and Linde’s Global Giving Program, the Foundation was able to help build new tree nursery infrastructure that can withstand future storms. And with seedlings being grown onsite once more, forest restoration can begin at the scale needed for recovery.

PROMISE FOR TOMORROW Replanting this forest will provide not only a lifeline for the endangered Puerto Rican parrot but also hope for the future of Puerto Rico as a whole.

Read more about our efforts to restore forests after natural disasters at arborday.org/replant.

2 ARBOR DAY • July/August 2021 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org On the cover: New opportunities to explore and experience Arbor Day Farm are set to be ready for visitors this fall.

TREE CAMPUS HEALTHCARE RECOGNITION OFFERS A CONNECTION POINT AMID ISOLATION NOW IN ITS SECOND YEAR, the Tree Campus Healthcare program was designed as a way to recognize health organizations that understand and promote the connection between trees and wellness. For many of this year’s recognized facilities, however, it meant something more: a point of light during a difficult period.

Three long-term care organizations participating in the program shared their stories — how they celebrated trees and how that helped them through an isolating time.

member of the organization’s founding order of nuns, tragically lost her life in 2005 for her vocal opposition to deforestation and illegal logging in Brazil.

Notre Dame Health Care’s recognition celebrates Sister Dorothy’s memory and was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefit of trees during a time of great challenge.

Westminster Village | Bloomington, IL

Masonic Homes Kentucky | Louisville, KY

While residents’ lives were limited in many ways due to COVID-19 safety restrictions, longtime Arbor Day Foundation member Charlotte Talkington, led the charge at Westminster Village to earn Tree Campus Healthcare recognition for the first time. These efforts included adding new trees to the grounds, drafting its first tree care plan, and providing educational materials about the benefits of trees. In the fall, three tree walks were conducted to help residents identify trees and learn what fall colors to expect later in the season.

Residents here were on lockdown for much of 2020 due to COVID-19, so the staff got creative to provide ways for their community to experience the benefits of the campus arboretum safely. A self-guided walking/ motor tour was developed to highlight significant trees and horticulture points of interest. For those who could not get outside, a webinar was recorded to bring the canopy’s beauty to them. Once the lockdown was lifted, the community was invited to enjoy the tour and experience the health benefits of the campus’s trees as well.

Notre Dame Health Care | Worcester, MA Another first-time Tree Campus Healthcare facility, Notre Dame Health Care saw recognition as not only an opportunity to highlight their dedication to trees but also honor an important legacy. Sister Dorothy Stang, a

To learn more about the Tree Campus Healthcare program and how to earn recognition, visit arborday.org/healthcare.

ARBOR DAY • July/August 2021 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org

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DEEPENING THE CONNECTION

with Nature

ARBOR DAY FARM’S COMMITMENT TO BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE WE OFTEN SAY THAT ARBOR DAY FARM — located in Nebraska City, NE — is where the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission comes to life. Because of the support of loyal members and donors over the year, the property has never stopped progressing. More levels of engagement with nature and more ways to experience the wonder of the outdoors are added each season. Whether it’s Treetop Village® or the parking lot arboretum at Lied Lodge, people have many opportunities to connect with trees.

This year, focus has been on providing more new inspiring moments that we can’t wait to share.

ENHANCED DINING AND SHOPPING In the fall of 2020, a fire broke out in Porter’s — the barbeque restaurant connected to the Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm. While part of the building was lost, firefighters were able to protect the historic portions of the market and barn.

4 ARBOR DAY • JULY/AUGUST 2021 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org

This was a blow, as it happened during the farm’s busiest time of year. But true to this property’s resilient nature, the restaurant and shop are being rebuilt. The Porter’s space will be expanded to offer more seating for diners. And the new Apple House Market will provide visitors with a unique, historical setting in which they can literally see, touch, and taste the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission.

A viewing room will enable visitors to watch trees being shipped, apples sorted, and cider pressed. (There will even be a wall tap to sample the fresh cider!) The tasting room will feature Arbor Day® Coffee as well as Arbor Day Farm wines. And the three seasons room — with the feel of a country porch — will offer a place for visitors to relax or enjoy their barbeque.

NEW OUTDOOR SPACES TO EXPLORE While the 9-acre hazelnut orchard has always offered a wonderful view from many of the Lied Lodge guest

and meeting rooms, this area was previously not a space intended to be explored. New developments known as the Nature Connection Project, however, are changing that.

Two new council rings are being installed, with each accommodating as many as 4050 people. These spaces will create a warm setting under the stars for friends, family, or colleagues to gather around the fire and create memories.

Austin Mackrill, vice president of Arbor Day Farm, is excited to offer this experience for visitors. “Our guests will be able to grab a bottle of wine and charcuterie board around the fire near sunset. The council rings could also be reserved for a private outdoor gathering, meeting, or wedding ceremony,” he said.

In addition to the council rings, a hazelnut orchard path will wind through the 9-acre orchard. Benches will be placed along the path, offering nice resting spots and the chance to spot the deer that make their home among the hazelnuts.

ROOM FOR MORE GROWTH While the hazelnut orchard and market projects will be ready for guests to enjoy fall and next spring respectively, plans are already in the works for more ways to inspire visitors. The hope is to add an amphitheater, covered bridge, and dedicated donor tree grove. All of these elements would be connected with paths extending from the council rings. “This will create an accessible loop for untapped exploration of our 260 acres,” said Austin. “Our goal is that the experience one receives will be uniquely memorable.”

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE EXPERIENCE We invite you to visit Arbor Day Farm for yourself.

This is your chance to see firsthand the enriching outdoor experience our members have helped to cultivate over the years. It is a legacy to be proud of. Plan your visit today at arbordayfarm.org.

ARBOR DAY • JULY/AUGUST 2021 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org

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COMMUNITY TREE RECOVERY IN MIAMI VERIZON SUPPORTS TREE DISTRIBUTION, GIRL SCOUTS JOIN IN IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT TREES AND EVERYONE’S favorite cookies intersect. But on a sunny Saturday in Miami, this match-up became a reality.

Miami-Dade County has worked hard over the years to increase its tree canopy in community green spaces and neighborhoods alike. In the wake of Hurricane Irma and subsequent storms that have ravaged the region, however, those urban trees have suffered.

To help restore lost canopy, the Arbor Day Foundation partnered with Verizon and Million Trees Miami to distribute 500 free trees to more than 200 community residents. A local Girl Scouts troop joined in the festivities as well, selling cookies to raise funds for their troop.

“This project really stood out to us because it was our first tree giveaway since the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gabriela Lopez, community image manager with Million Trees Miami. “There were so many factors that made it memorable. First it was so encouraging to see that we can get out there and give away trees in a way that makes our staff and the recipients feel safe. Second, it was amazing

Leave a Lasting

to see the community being so responsive.”

By noon that day, all of the trees had been distributed — and most of the Girl Scout cookies were sold.

These trees will have an overall impact on the community. They are being planted in yards and along streets to provide shade, lower energy use, reduce urban heat island effect, filter air pollutants, manage stormwater, and support local wildlife (including bees). And Gabriela is excited to help make it possible. “The need is still there; the want is still there; and it’s a great feeling to be able to continue to serve our community in such an impactful way with the help of our sponsors and national partners.”

As for the cookies, they just made the day that much sweeter.

Legacy with One Simple Step

TIM (not his real name) WAS A MEMBER of the Arbor Day Foundation since 1992 and had a deep appreciation for the work being done on behalf of trees and environmental stewardship. Working with Foundation Gift Planning Manager Chloé Sweet, Tim was able to easily add the Foundation as the successor beneficiary of two of his IRA accounts. When Tim passed away recently, his gift became a legacy of caring that will help the Arbor Day Foundation continue its important work long into the future.

Naming the Foundation on a retirement, life insurance, or other account is an easy way to ensure your assets will

INFORMATION PLEASE Please send me more information about making the Arbor Day Foundation a beneficiary of my account or my will.

I have already included the Arbor Day Foundation as a beneficiary for a future gift.

Please print: Name Address City/State/Zip Phone Number Best time to call

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contribute to the kind of work you appreciate and support — and without the expense of rewriting a will or living trust.

You will need the following information: The Foundation’s legal name (Arbor Day Foundation), Tax ID (23-7169265), and mailing address (211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 68508). Here are two easy ways to provide for a future gift: • Retirement Plans — Most retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), etc.) allow you to select beneficiaries to receive the plan assets remaining after the owner’s death. To designate the Arbor Day Foundation as a beneficiary, contact the account administrator and request the appropriate form. The designated assets will transfer tax-free to the Foundation, whereas if left to your heirs, they may be taxed at more than 60% (ordinary income plus estate tax).

• Life Insurance — Call or email the issuer of your policy and ask for the appropriate form to designate the Arbor Day Foundation as a beneficiary of your policy.

Mail to: Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 68508

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Chloé Sweet at 888-448-7337 ext. 9612 or send her an email at csweet@arborday.org.

Supporting Community Tree Planting Organizations DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A NETWORK ESTABLISHED to encourage community tree planting and care by supporting local nonprofit organizations? It’s called the Alliance for Community Trees, and the Arbor Day Foundation has had the privilege of managing this collective since 2015.

Membership varies, including nonprofits, municipalities, and tree boards from communities large and small. With 160 active members, this group is committed to sharing — ideas, successes, failures — in an effort to strengthen each other AND the collective urban tree canopy. A resource center of helpful materials and plenty of networking and educational opportunities are also available to members.

But these are not the only benefits. Members can also receive funding for tree planting and care efforts happening on a local level. The Foundation helps to match alliance member projects with funding from corporate and other business partners.

The Alliance for Community Trees network represents the united voice of hundreds of community tree planting organizations in cities and towns across North America.

To add your organization to the growing number of network members, or to sponsor the membership for an organization in your community, visit arborday.org/actmember.

Tree City USA Bulletin The May/June edition expands on the benefits of joining the Alliance for Community Trees network.

To download a PDF of the bulletin, please visit

arborday.org/bulletins

FOLLOW US AT

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The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of nearly 1 million members and supporters, with a mission of inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.

Illustrations by Karina I. Helm.

This guide was made possible through the generosity of John C. Negus and Family and other Arbor Day Foundation members.

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• A great educational tool equipped with both common and scientific names, it describes measurements in inches and centimeters • Durable water-resistant cover

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• Its user-friendly, step-by-step approach enhances the guide’s effectiveness for children and tree experts alike

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© 2018 Arbor Day Foundation.

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A guide to the more common trees found in North America

@arborday.org

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What Tree Is That?

• Helps identify more than 250 of North America’s most common trees

YOUR ONLINE GUIDE TO TREE IDENTIFICATION SUMMERTIME IS A GREAT TIME to identify the trees in your neighborhood. Exploring your community forest and getting to know the trees around your home is a fun outdoor activity for individuals and families alike.

With the help of the Arbor Day Foundation’s online What Tree Is That? illustrated guide, you can use the leaves or needles of trees to identify them.

This step-by-step guide is available at arborday.org/whattree. For the avid tree identifier, a printed What Welcome What Tree Is That? pocket field guide Is That? complete with helpful definitions and color illustrations can also be purchased.

Enjoy learning about the trees all around you this summer! arborday.org

What Tree Is That?

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What Tree Is That?

facebook.com/arborday

Tree

A guide to the more common trees found in North America

ARBOR DAY • July/August 2021 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org

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American Beech Fagus grandifolia

LEAVES: Alternate on the branch, ovate-oblong, 3–6 inches long with sharp teeth on the margins. Silvery green as they emerge, gradually turning dark green in summer and then golden bronze in autumn.

FLOWERS: Subtle blooms appear April to early May, usually with the leaves. Male and female flowers appear separately on the same tree.

FRUIT: Hard, brown beechnuts ½–1 inch in diameter, enclosed in a prickly burr. The nuts are edible.

BARK: Thin and smooth. Light bluish gray, almost silvery, when young and darkening in color with maturity.

FORM: A slower-growing but long-lived tree, 50-70 feet tall at maturity with a spread up to 50 feet or more. A short trunk and wide-spreading crown that offers dense shade. Slender stems may zig-zag somewhat.

WILDLIFE VALUE: Beechnuts

David Bagnall / Alamy Stock Photo

The formal and stately American beech holds a special place in the hearts of many. It is a versatile tree, often used in parks, golf courses, and acreages — prized for its great shade in the summer and beautiful bronze coloring in the fall. The American beech is not a tree you plant for fast growth and quick shade but for future generations to enjoy. And what a lovely legacy to leave.

are eaten by numerous birds and mammals, serving as an important food for chipmunks and squirrels.

The nuts were once a favorite of the extinct passenger pigeon.

PLANTING: Prefers sun but will withstand shade. Will thrive in acidic soils ranging in pH from 5.0 to 6.5 that are moist and welldrained. Avoid wet or compacted soil. Suitable for hardiness zones 4–9.

To purchase or learn more about this tree and others, visit arborday.org/beech or scan this QR code.

An official publication of

We guarantee delivery of healthy trees to our members. Please check ordering deadlines and shipping dates at arborday.org/shipping. If you need to contact us about your trees, call 888-448-7337, email us at info@arborday.org, or drop us a note at Member Services, Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 68508. We want your tree planting efforts to be successful!

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© 2021 Arbor Day Foundation. The Foundation sometimes exchanges mailing lists with selected organizations with offers of interest to our members. If you do not want your name included, just write, email, or call Member Services and tell us not to exchange your name.