The tree planters holiday, known as Arbor Day, began 150 years ago. Starting in Nebraska on April 10, the holiday was proposed to inspire the community to plant more trees. While it started in the West, Arbor Day has made its way to Grosse Pointe Woods. The 11 members on the Grosse Pointe Woods Community Tree Commision work to plan Arbor Day festivities and involve the community in them. Secretary of the community tree commission, Mary Ellen Meyering, has spent her time preparing tree seedlings and poster themes for the Grosse Pointe School’s third grade classes. 

“What we do is we hold an Arbor Day poster contest. We give the kids a theme and they make a poster about trees. The theme for this year will be ‘trees are terrific because’,” Meyering said. “Then we give them a tree seedling and they are encouraged to plant that in their yard. We teach them how to plant it and take care of it. This year they will get white spruce trees.”

Planting an enthusiasm for Arbor Day in young students is one of the many ways the CTC instills a greener future for our community. With their dedication to the environment along with many others, GPW has been recognized as a Tree City USA community for 43 years. This title is given to communities that have dedication towards caring for trees through organizations and committees. 

“The city and our members are proud of the fact that we have this title every year,” Meyering said. “You have to care about trees, it adds to the beauty of the city and makes it a nicer place to live.” 

As a member of the Students Against Violations of the Environment Club, junior Zoey Crossley inspires other students to participate in the Arbor Day anniversary and use it as a way to positively impact our community. She is passionate that every action towards change, no matter how small, has the potential to make a difference. Crossley hopes to participate in Arbor Day through donating to the Arbor Day Foundation and advises other students to do the same. 

“I would really recommend the Arbor Day Foundation since every dollar donated is a tree,” Crossley said. “I know sometimes it feels like small actions are inconsequential, but when they’re consistent they do help.” 

While donating is a quick and beneficial way to take part in the holiday, science teacher and S.A.V.E. Club advisor Christopher Skowronski recommends taking action throughout daily life. He believes that this will not only improve the environment, but will also provide personal advantages in the future. 

“Pick up litter if you see it,” Skowronski said. “If you have space around your house, plant a tree and it will give you years of benefits.”

Crossley appreciates trees because of their beauty and what they do for our community. She actively works to combat climate change and to provide for the environment. She believes that trees play a large role in doing so. 

“Trees are such an integral part of our environment, nature, and ultimately us.  Obviously they allow us to breathe,” Crossley said. “However, there’s also the shade, the beauty, the research opportunities, and the habitat of so many creatures.”

Arbor Day itself promotes the nurturing and sustaining of trees. Our community has the opportunity to participate with the help of the Community Tree Commission and other tree committees. They work to keep the trees healthy. The healthier the trees, the more enhanced our environment will be. 

“There are people in the GPW [committees] that take care of the trees and keep them healthy. It adds to the beauty of the city and makes it a nicer place to live,” Meyering said. “It encourages the wildlife, the birds, and everybody who lives here. It makes the community a lot more pleasant.”