Thank You, Tree Huggers!
See photos from 2009 Tree Hugger Day events across the country.
Despite record-setting low temperatures, rain, and wind, the Tree Hugger Day event at the Jefferson Memorial in D.C. brought out a dedicated group excited to share in a new annual tradition. The event culminated in a group tree hug around several trees at the Tidal Basin, and featured Tree Hugger buttons and t-shirts, Moon Sycamore seeds from the historic Apollo XIV mission, and the Treeture character Blossom. AMERICAN FORESTS and IKEA were joined by representatives from the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the National Park Service, including Cherry Blossom Festival president Diana Mayhew, and new National Mall and Memorial Parks superintendent John Piltzecker.
At Chicago’s Morton Arboretum, over 300 children and adults gathered to celebrate National Tree Hugger Day with a two-story hug around the Arboretum’s giant sycamore tree. The huge hug – featuring one group on ground level and another surrounding the tree on a 14-foot-high viewing platform – could become a new Guinness Record.
In Dalton, Georgia, AMERICAN FORESTS’ Historic Tree Program Director Jennifer Rankin participated in a celebration of the historic Liberty Trees, which included some tree hugging as well.
Our West Coast event occurred in Los Angeles, CA. The only youth-led Tree Hugger Day, this event was organized with our partners the Tree Musketeers. Around 100 people attended this event, which included tree care and maintenance, a “heart-felt” tree hugging photo, games, and a picnic.
Other events were held in Philadelphia, PA and Evansville, IN. Thanks to everyone who participated!
If you attended one of the Tree Hugger events and have comments or suggestions, please send your feedback to treehugger@amfor.org. We look forward to celebrating National Tree Hugger Day with you next year.
