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National Arbor Day is an annual event in Barbados, held on September 22nd, to encourage persons to plant trees.
This day is of special importance to Barbadians, since it is the day Hurricane Janet struck the island, resulting is massive destruction to
property and loss of life. The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, in response to a state proclamation urging settlers and
homesteaders in that prairie state to plant trees that would provide shade, shelter, fruit, fuel, and beauty for residents of the largely
treeless plains. On that first Arbor Day, more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska's communities and on its farms. The Arbor Day
idea was promoted by J. Sterling Morton, editor of the Nebraska City News, who later helped the idea spread to neighboring states and eventually
to all of the United States and many other nations.
According to the earliest records in Barbados - a Report of the Local Department of Agriculture (1908 - 09) the first local Arbor Day was celebrated
on the island on November 09, 1907. This day was set apart for the celebration of His Majesty's birthday. Arbor Day was
well established from its inception and a variety of trees were available for free distribution. Many years later, in 1997, the National Conservation Commission
in its continued role of protecting and enhancing the environment relaunched National Arbor Day and with the assistance of several agencies formed the National Arbor
Day Committee to oversee the co-ordination of this national event.
The National Arbor Day Committee encourages and supports the greening of Barbados.
Come and join in the fight to protect and enhance our environment through the planting of trees -
- In your own yard
- In your community
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- At a school/church
- At your workplace
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