Arbor Day

Vaqueritos, I speak for the trees. The Lorax (Dr. Seuss) April 19 10-11 AM. Earth Fest Arbor Day. Tree Planting Ceremony Lorax Storytelling Child Development Center Edinburg Campus. Page Banner



Arbor Day is an important environmental observance celebrated nationwide, with different dates varying by region.The national Arbor Day celebration is traditionally held on the last Friday in April, centered in the state of Nebraska where the holiday originated. However, here at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, we observe Arbor Day in the fall season, when it is considered the optimal time for planting trees in our region.

Each year, our campus joins together with the surrounding communities of the Rio Grande Valley, including Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr, Harlingen, and Brownsville, to commemorate Arbor Day through a variety of engaging activities. Students, faculty, and community members come together to plant new trees across our shared urban landscapes, enhancing the green spaces that provide environmental benefits and improve quality of life.
The Arbor Day festivities also include educational programs, guest speakers, and volunteer efforts focused on tree care and conservation. It's a wonderful opportunity for UTRGV to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, while strengthening the bonds between the university and the cities of the Rio Grande Valley.

Trees are important

Trees play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere. According to the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA program, trees sequester carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, helping to reduce the overall concentration of this harmful gas in the atmosphere. This not only helps combat climate change but also enhances air quality, fostering a healthier environment for humans and wildlife alike. Additionally, trees play a vital role in promoting well-being in urban areas, with research indicating their positive effects on physical and mental health. Arbor Day, recognized as a national holiday in the US, celebrates the significance of tree planting, an endeavor that the Arbor Day Foundation has championed for over 50 years, facilitating the growth of an impressive 500 million trees. Through such efforts, trees continue to stand as pillars of sustainability, offering myriad benefits to ecosystems and communities worldwide.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. Founded in 1972, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance in the 19th century, the Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners. The impact it makes on our world is accomplished through its conservation and education programs such as Tree City USA, Tree Campus USA, Alliance for Community Trees, Tree Line USA, community tree recovery, carbon footprint reduction, nature exploration, and energy-saving trees.

10 people with shovels by a tree planting it many UTRGV students, faculty, and staff infront of a big tree with people in the middle holding a tree campus usa designation banner young students listening to someone as they sit and stand on the grass with trees in the background many UTRGV students, faculty, and staff infront of a big tree with people in the middle holding a tree campus usa designation banner at the Brownsville campus Students in front of a UTRGV buys with shirts that say plant trees and tree campus hats on many UTRGV students, faculty, and staff infront of a big tree with people in the middle holding a tree campus usa designation banner