November 1, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott declares Nov. 1, 2024, Texas Arbor Day
AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation declaring Nov. 1, 2024, to be Texas Arbor Day.
“From the air in our lungs to the water in our bodies, trees purify the elements of nature, and in the most fundamental sense, they allow us to live, breathe, and be,” Governor Abbott said in the proclamation. “Trees are also a vital natural resource, so it is our duty to diligently plant and replant them for the benefit of future generations.”
Arbor Day in the United States began in Nebraska in 1872 when residents recognized the benefits of trees.
In Texas, Arbor Day first appeared in Temple on Feb. 22, 1889, when W. Goodrich Jones led a mass meeting to call for a tree planting campaign along the streets of the city. One year later, the first statewide observance of Arbor Day was held in Austin.
Today, the official Texas Arbor Day is held on the first Friday in November as a celebration of planting and nurturing trees and all the ways they enrich our lives and stabilize the environment.
Research has shown that trees boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and reduce stress, among other health benefits. Trees also contribute to the economy, with the state’s forest sector supporting more than 170,000 jobs. Timber ranks seventh among the state’s agricultural commodities.
“Each of us can do our part to preserve the natural wonder of Texas by educating ourselves on environmental matters, treating nature with respect, and planting trees,” said Governor Abbott. “By working together to support conservation efforts, we can ensure a brighter, more beautiful future for generations to come.”
Arbor Day celebrations and events are planned across the state through Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Forestry Association, Texas Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture and others.
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Texas Arbor Day Proclamation
Sam Houston famously quipped, "Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has ever blessed my vision." From the towering pines of East Texas to the majestic oaks of the Hill Country and the rugged mesquites of the High Plains, Texas' awe-inspiring landscape would be incomplete without the king of florae—trees.
More than mere sights to behold, trees impact our lives daily, and they remind us that human beings are part of a much larger natural order. From the air in our lungs to the water in our bodies, trees purify the elements of nature, and in the most fundamental sense, they allow us to live, breathe, and be. Trees are also a vital natural resource, so it is our duty to diligently plant and replant them for the benefit of future generations.
To this end, concerned citizens and government entities have worked to spur public interest in arboreal matters for more than a century. The Texas Forestry Association first observed Arbor Day in 1889, and to this day, the annual holiday provides an opportunity to appreciate the natural treasure that is the Lone Star State and to recommit ourselves to forestry, conservation, and prudent stewardship of our natural resources.
Texas Arbor Day serves as a reminder to recognize the significant role that trees play in Texas and in Texans' lives. Each of us can do our part to preserve the natural wonder of Texas by educating ourselves on environmental matters, treating nature with respect, and planting trees. By working together to support conservation efforts, we can ensure a brighter, more beautiful future for generations to come.
Therefore, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim November l, 2024, to be Texas Arbor Day in Texas and urge all Texans to observe the occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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Texas A&M Forest Service Contact:
Communications Office, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu