Arbor Day is a special day that is set aside throughout the world to raise awareness of trees and the important role that they play in our environment. Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, when journalist Julius Sterling Morton succeeded in convincing the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture to set aside a special day for planting trees. The idea quickly grew and is now celebrated internationally. People throughout the world take part in tree planting events and other celebrations of trees and the role that they play in our environment.
The aim of the day is to raise awareness of trees and to help to provide an educative service to all areas of the community.
According to the earliest records in Barbados – a Report of the Local Department of Agriculture (1908 – 1909) the first Arbor Day was celebrated on the island in 1905 when the first trees were distributed. On July 08, 1907, two years after the celebrations of the first Arbor Day, the Government passed the Preservation of Trees Act which placed an incentive (bounty) for the public to plant trees and protected the land on which the trees grew. An inspector was appointed to make sure trees were planted, that they were cultivated correctly and that statements for bounties were correct. Reports state that subsequently Arbor Day was observed on November 09, 1907 & 1908, days set apart for the celebration of His Majesty’s birthday.
National Arbor Day was subsequently re-established in Barbados on September 22nd, 1997 (Anniversary of Hurricane Janet).
The thought was to commemorate the devastating impact of Hurricane Janet in 1955, which caused widespread destruction to trees and the natural landscape. The establishment of National Arbor Day on this date serves as a reminder of the importance of trees and promotes reforestation and conservation efforts across the island.
