Celebrate Planet Earth
Celebrate Planet Earth
Honor Mother Nature with these special Earth Day & Arbor Day events
photo / Nannen Arboretum
Earth Day and Arbor Day are BIG news! In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed April 22nd as International Mother Earth Day. According to unep.org, “The Day recognizes the Earth and its ecosystems as humanity's common home and the need to protect her to enhance people’s livelihoods, counteract climate change, and stop the collapse of biodiversity. Climate change, manmade changes to nature, as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversity such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production, or the growing illegal wildlife trade, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet. Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action - a need to shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet.”
Knowing this, protecting our planet is everyone’s responsibility, wouldn’t you agree? Go to unep.org for many suggestions in which you can participate.
Along with celebrating Earth Day, Arbor Day 2025 is celebrated/observed on Friday, April 25th. It is always in spring in the U.S. but it may be celebrated on other dates around the globe, dependent on the season suitable for planting trees. You see, Arbor Day is a special day whose primary focus is to encourage people to plant and care for tees.
In Cattaraugus County, we are blessed with our own abundant land of trees. No matter where you live, forests and trees use their many powers to support our lives - and all life on Earth. Their health is our health. Here’s what they do: They fight climate change by storing carbon dioxide in their wood, helping to slow the gas’s buildup in our atmosphere. Did you know that the older the tree, the more CO2 it stores? So plant new trees, but protect the old. Trees contribute to good mental health. Take a walk or short hike in our forests and assess how you feel at the other end of it. Good for your physical health too! Along with CO2 storage, trees also clean the air of the pollution we otherwise can’t escape. For nature lovers, trees provide an ecosystem of plants and animals, who, thanks to trees, can live symbiotically together.
Summer is coming with its crazy highs and lows. Remember, our trees cool us down. It may be 90 in Ellicottville, but it could easily be 100 or higher in the City of Buffalo. Many of us have well water in Ellicottville. Mine is the sweetest, purest water, thanks to all the trees filtering it along its way. Let us raise a glass (of water) to trees and help them along by caring for those we have, not cutting them down because a new building is going up and “who wants to mow around them", and finally, by planting more.
In observance of Earth day and Arbor Day, Allegany State Park (Red House) is hosting several events April 23rd-26th. On Wednesday, participate in a “Signs of Spring Evening Walk” with a park naturalist explaining the spring flora and critters. Everyone is welcome. It’s free beginning at 6:00pm, Site 53, Quaker Beach Road near the gate at the osprey platform. Early arrivals will have a chance to make bird feeders using recyclable materials. Take a flashlight, wear boots, dress for the weather. You know the drill. For more information or any questions, contact the Environmental Education/Recreation Department at 716-354-6232 or alleganysp@parks.ny.gov.
If biking or hiking is more to your liking, join the Arbor Day celebration on the Pat McGee Trail on April 25th. Having known Pat, I know how much she would enjoy taking part in this event. Meet at Ellicottville Brewing Company’s parking lot at 202 2nd Street, Little Valley at 6:00pm. The event goes until 8:00pm. Bikers will do a meandering 2-mile ride toward Salamanca so they can take in the beautiful nature. A limited number of fat tire bikes are available for use - or you can bring your own. Any skill levels are welcome. Walkers will take a stroll north toward Cattaraugus to the Wetlands. There you will see spring birds and have an opportunity to ask about the diverse trees in the area. If Furbaby wants to participate, just be sure he/she is leashed. Please come together and share your experiences at a friendly social afterward. If you have questions or would like to use a bike, please contact the Environmental Education/ Recreation Department at 716-379-6939.
Every year, the Ellicottville Nannen Arboretum presents an Arbor Day celebration and plants a new tree. Following their Annual meeting at The Town Center at 11:00am, Mayor John Burrell will read an Arbor Day Proclamation. This year, a hackberry tree has been chosen to be planted. The hackberry is no shrinking violet. She will grow quickly, attaining 20 to 40 feet in height and produce wonderful berries for the birds and wildlife. This tree planting is a lovely and meaningful community event (even if the tree must be planted later) and it gives visitors a chance to stroll through the Arboretum grounds and recognized what a hidden jewel the Nannen Arboretum is. Come for the event but do plan to stay and explore. While you’re at it, stop and hug a tree. You read that right. Move in for the hug, stay still, close your eyes, listen, feel. You might be surprised.