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http://www.forestcenter.com/
When was the last time you walked through a forest? Breathed in the calming scent of evergreen boughs and fresh air? Felt the cushion of years and years of leaves beneath your feet? Watched squirrels and birds at ease in their home territory? Heard the passing of a nearby stream?
At the Forest Discovery Center, you can experience an "indoor forest," walk through an oak tree, play unique computer games, build whatever you choose from wooden blocks, and watch a master wood craftsman as he works on his creations.
Learn about the Practice of Forestry in Indiana
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/index.html?http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/nursery/&2
Arbor Day
The last Friday in April...a day to put down roots.
The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. It was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton (1832-1902), a Nebraska journalist and politician originally from Michigan.
Throughout his long and productive career, Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques in his adopted state and throughout the United States when he served as President Grover Cleveland's Secretary of Agriculture. But his most important legacy is Arbor Day.
Morton (photo, right) felt that Nebraska's landscape and economy would benefit from the wide-scale planting of trees. He set an example himself planting orchards, shade trees and wind breaks on his own farm and he urged his neighbors to follow suit. Morton's real opportunity, though, arrived when he became a member of Nebraska's state board of agriculture. He proposed that a special day be set aside dedicated to tree planting and increasing awareness of the importance of trees. Nebraska's first Arbor Day was an amazing success. More than one million trees were planted. A second Arbor Day took place in 1884 and the young state made it an annual legal holiday in 1885, using April 22nd to coincide with Morton's birthday. |
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In the years following that first Arbor Day, Morton's idea spread beyond Nebraska with Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Ohio all proclaiming their own Arbor Days. Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day although the dates may vary in keeping with the local climate. At the federal level, in 1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is also now celebrated in other countries including Australia. Variations are celebrated as 'Greening Week' of Japan, 'The New Year's Days of Trees' in Israel, 'The Tree-loving Week' of Korea, 'The Reforestation Week' of Yugoslavia, 'The Students' Afforestation Day' of Iceland and 'The National Festival of Tree Planting' in India. Julius Sterling Morton would be proud. Sometimes one good idea can make a real difference.
For the homeowner, Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property and plan for the future. Inspect your trees. Note any broken branches or evidence of disease or insect infestation. Think about how planting new trees might improve the look of your property or provide wind or heat protection. Take a trip to your local nursery to see what's available and to get new ideas. Walk around your neighborhood. Are there any public areas where tree planting or tree maintenance might make a real difference to your community? Talk with your neighbors. Find out what their opinions are. And, oh yes, plant a tree.
Do you know our state tree?
It is the Tulip Tree.
SMOKEY THE BEAR - ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!
http://www.smokeybear.com/
ARBOR DAY COLORING PAGES AND GAMES
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/arborday/print.html
ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/arbor-day/index.html
ARBOR DAY GUIDE FOR TEACHERS
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/index.html?http://www.state.in.us/dnr/forestry/education/arborday/&2
ARBOR DAY - Indiana DNR
The Indiana DNR tree seedling nurseries provide a tree seedling for each Indiana third grade student whose school and teachers wish to participate in the Arbor Day program.
A letter is mailed to every Indiana school in January of each year. To receive a tree seedling for every third grader, the school's Arbor Day coordinator or principal must return the postcard to Vallonia Nursery by the date indicated in the letter. Each Indiana school may also receive an Arbor Day seedling to plant on the school grounds. The seedling is ordered at the same time as the third grade seedlings.
For more information, contact:
Jasper-Pulaski Nursery
15508 West 700 North
Medaryville, IN 47957
(Hwy. 421, 5 miles north of Medaryville)
Phone: 219-843-4827
or e-mail JasperNursery@dnr.state.in.us
FUN AND EDUCATIONAL INFO FOR CHILDREN AGES 2-8, AGES 9 & UP, AND GREAT RESOURCES FOR ADULTS!
http://www.arborday.org/
Also, purchase trees online, learn about trees in your yard...much more!
STATE FORESTS IN INDIANA
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/index.html?http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/nursery/&2
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - PLANTS DATABASE
http://plants.usda.gov/
USDA FOREST SERVICE - CARING FOR THE LAND AND SERVING PEOPLE
http://www.fs.fed.us/
FORESTRY IMAGES
http://www.forestryimages.org/about/
"Forestry Images has been under development for a number of years, and is the result of the efforts of a large number of people. In the mid-1990's we recognized a need for quality photographs of forest insects and disease organisms to use in information technology applications.
The overall objective of Forestry Images is: to provide an accessible and easily used archive of high quality images related to forest health and silviculture, with particular emphasis on educational applications.
In most cases, the images found in this system were taken by and loaned to us by photographers other than ourselves. Most are in the realm of public sector images. The photographs are in this system to be used!
We have strived to provide accurate and correct identifications, taxonomy and descriptions. However, we recognize that invariably errors will occur and urge you, the user, to be the final quality control option. If you locate errors, correct them on your materials and please notify us of them so that we can correct them in Forestry Images as well."
Children's Environmental Book List
As part of the Earth Day and Arbor Day celebrations, First Book has developed an environmental reading list of books for children ages 4-8. This reading list offers some of the top environmental books that parents can read with their children to entertain them while still providing valuable environmental education.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Every day a boy would visit his tree to climb her trunk, sleep in her shade, and eat her fruit, which all made the tree happy. Throughout the years, the tree provided the boy with countless gifts…a house, a boat, a place to rest.
The Tree Farmer by Chuck Leavell and Nicholas Cravotta
A grandfather proudly takes his grandson on a tour of his tree farm. As they walk through the forest, the grandfather describes the majesty of each tree and explains how some trees may become a bed to hold a child, a frame for a house, a love letter, a musical instrument, among other items that can uniquely touch and change lives. Throughout the colorful images and prose, the grandfather describes the ideals of stewardship and renewable resources.
The Secret Life of Trees by DK Publishing
Children have many questions about trees. How long do trees live? Where do trees come from? This book answers many of these questions and explains what becomes of trees once they are no longer trees, but houses, swings and books.
Oak Tree by Gordon Morrison
Oak Tree describes a year in the life of an oak tree, including its physical changes through each season. Also included are notes about trees, animals and growth processes that explain the scientific aspects of nature.
My Mother Talks to Trees by Doris Gove
On their walk home from school, a young girl and her mother stop by several trees to look at their different leaves and branches. By the end of the story, readers have been introduced to many types of trees including a persimmon, a white pine and a maple. A guide for getting to know your neighborhood trees is also included at the end.
How the Forest Grew by William Jaspersohn
This book explains how new trees begin to grow, how they become a forest, and how the wildlife is affected each time a new type of tree begins to take over a forest.
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh
The legend of Johnny Appleseed never grows old for children. This version depicts Johnny Appleseed as a gentle man with a great love for the land and the environment.
Apples and How They Grow by Laura Driscoll
Apples and How They Grow, part of the All Aboard Science Readers series, is for younger readers. Simple and easy-to-read, this story teaches children about the life cycle of a tree, from the planting of a seed to the growth of an apple.
To learn more about reading these books, or to order them, visit www.abundantforests.org
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