Tree Board hosts Arbor Day celebration at LFL Elementary School

By Logan Dailey/Town of Lingle

LINGLE – Arbor Day is observed nationally on the last Friday of April. However, each community has the opportunity to celebrate locally on a day of their choosing. The Town of Lingle Tree Board chose April 14 for their celebration this year.

During the celebration, Tree Board members Sara Ingram and Kelly Greenwald teamed up with Mr. (Cody) Powell’s fourth-grade class, volunteers Lucas Ingram and Rogan Fisher, and the Town of Lingle Maintenance Department to plant and water seven villosa lilac trees at the entrance to the Lingle-Fort Laramie Elementary School.

“For our Arbor Day and Earth Day celebrations, my fourth-grade students focused on learning the importance of keeping our Earth clean and taking care of the environment not just at school, but in their everyday lives,” Powell explained. “We talked about simple, practical ways they can help, such as recycling and being mindful of how they treat nature at home and in the community.”

Following lessons about Arbor Day and Earth Day, the students were able to plant the trees with the Lingle Tree Board.

“One of the highlights of our celebration was a tree planting project in partnership with the Lingle Tree Board,” Powell said. “Students had the opportunity to plant lilac trees on the school grounds, which was both exciting and meaningful for them. This hands-on experience helped them better understand the role trees play in our environment and gave them a sense of pride and ownership.”

Lucas and Rogan prepared the area by digging holes for the trees. Once the soil was prepared, the students teamed up in groups to plant the trees and provide them with their first watering.

“It’s always fun to get the kids involved,” Greenwald said. “The kids dug the holes, planted the trees, and they have the opportunity to keep an eye on them as they grow.”

After planting and watering the trees, the students were provided with trees for planting at home.

“The students responded very positively to the activities,” Powell said. “They were engaged, enthusiastic, and eager to participate. Planting the trees was especially memorable, and many students expressed excitement about watching them grow over time. It created a lasting connection for them, as they will be able to look back on this experience and remember their role in helping take care of our planet. Overall, the celebrations reinforced the idea that even small actions can make a big difference, and it was rewarding to see students take that message to heart.”

Not only are Arbor Day celebrations a critical source of teaching young people about the importance of caring for trees and providing them with the hands-on experience of planting trees, but these celebrations are also critical for maintaining Tree City USA status.

“Tree City USA is an annual national recognition program designed to raise awareness of the value of community trees, set foundational standards for communities of all sizes, and celebrate community improvement,” according to arborday.org.