Celebrated each April, National Arbor Day is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the importance of trees. Today, many communities recognize Arbor Day by coming together to plant trees and celebrate community, however, due to the impact of COVID-19, many in-person Arbor Day events will be cancelled or postponed this year.

Although Arbor Day 2020 may not be celebrated in the traditional way, here are some tips you can share with your community on how to celebrate:

• The Arbor Day Foundation has launched a social media campaign to plant 50,000 trees on behalf of people celebrating Arbor Day while following social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic. Through April 24 — the 148th observance of Arbor Day — the Foundation will plant one tree for each Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook user who posts a picture of a tree using the hashtag #ArborDayAtHome, up to 50,000 trees. Arbor Day offers resources to help you enjoy Arbor Day 2020 — planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees in this time of social distancing. 
• Find a nearby forest and go for a hike. Many studies have shown that taking a walk in a forest has real, quantifiable health benefits both mental and physical. Exposure to forest and trees can help boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, increase overall energy level and so much more.
• See if your local community has a tree identification trail or identify the trees in your yard.
• If you’re stuck inside, explore some of the many online education resources that can be used to connect children to nature. The ISA Trees are Good website is an excellent resource that has activities for children and link to other online resources.
• Plant a tree in your yard. Many trees can be found at your local tree nursery for contactless pickup, via Arbor Day or are available for purchase online. Not only can planting a tree be a fun activity, having trees in your yard can save energy, reduce stress and improve the air quality in your community.

As the association for arborists and people that care for and about trees, ISA joins tree care professionals from around the globe in celebrating the importance of trees to our environment, our health, and our world.