Feel Good Friday - Arbor Day Foundation

Happy Arbor Day! This holiday has been celebrated on the last Friday in April since 1872. That makes today a perfect day to learn about the Arbor Day Foundation.

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest member nonprofit dedicated to planting trees. In fact, their mission “is to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.”

With more than 1 million members and supporters, and projects in over 50 countries, the work of the Arbor Day Foundation is divided into two main categories: Trees in Communities and Trees in Forests. This 3-minute video, 500 Million Trees and Counting, explains more and celebrates the planting of the 500 millionth tree!

Many of the trees planted by the Arbor Day Foundation are located in communities to counteract some of the destructive effects of climate change such as “natural disasters, food insecurity, urban heat islands, unsuitable air and water quality, and desolate landscapes”. Examples of specific programs include one that helps cities around the globe maintain and grow their tree cover, one that fosters positive connections between youth, grades K-12, and the trees in their community, and another that recognizes health institutions that make a mission-aligned impact on community wellness through tree education, investment, and community engagement.

Forest programs include vetting, funding, and selling carbon credits to climate-conscious corporations, reforesting five priority planting regions, and supporting local partners and communities in their efforts to protect, sustain and restore tropical rain forests.

A look at the FY2023 Annual Report breaks down the impact tree by tree. In 2023, the Arbor Day Foundation planted and distributed 632,990 trees through community events, 

distributed 4,012,925 trees to members to plant in their yards, and supported 129 individual reforestation projects in 25 countries! You can go to the stories section of their website to learn more.

If you’d like to spend this Arbor Day helping the Arbor Day Foundation celebrate trees, there are many ways to do so. Become a member, shop for trees to plant, coffee to drink and apparel to wear, or make a donation. If you’re in Nebraska, you can visit and explore Arbor Day Farm, and no matter where you are you can amplify their work on social media by following the Arbor Day Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.