April is Ohio Native Plant Month and National Native Plant Month
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd
On Arbor Day, the last Friday in April (April 30th), we celebrate our trees
Many organizations throughout Northeast Ohio are planning April events. See below for events and resources for each of these celebrations. Be sure to look through these April events, but also plan to revisit these organizations for more educational opportunities throughout the year, and remember to check out the Sustainable Cleveland Events Calendar.
OHIO NATIVE PLANT & NATIONAL NATIVE PLANT MONTH CELEBRATIONS
First celebrated last year, Ohio was one of the first states in the nation to dedicate an entire month to the celebration of native plants. This April, Ohio Native Plant Month will highlight the importance and diversity of native plants on the agency’s website and social media channels.
This year, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) praised the unanimous Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution designating April 2021 as “National Native Plant Month.”
Plant Month Events
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Attracting Beneficial Insects to the Home Garden Habitat
Monday, April 19th at 4pm.
In celebration of Ohio Native Plant Month and National Native Plant Month, Judy Semroc will provide information on the natural history of beneficial insects, how to attract them to your yard and garden, their connection to pollinators, and why they are important.
Presented by Judy Semroc, Field Biologist and Naturalist
Hosted by the LEAP Native Plant Promotion Committee
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The Wilderness Center Backyard Habitat Speaker Series
Naturalizing Your Yard
Friday, April 9th at 6:30 pm and Saturday, April 10th at 11 am
Discover the process of transforming lawns into areas that mimic naturally occurring habitats like forests and meadows.
Garden Design with Native Plants
Friday, April 23rd at 6:30 pm and Saturday, April 24th.
Learn how and where plants thrive in the wild to guide our use of native plants in the landscape.
View pdf for all Plant Month Events
EARTH DAY 2021 CELEBRATIONS
On April 22, 1970, the United States celebrated its first Earth Day. This day, for many, has symbolized the start of the environmental movement and is now celebrated around the globe. Earthday.org has designated the theme for Earth Day 2021 as: Restore Our Earth. Learn more about the history of Earth Day.
President Biden Invites 40 World Leaders to Leaders Summit on Climate.
Earth Day Events
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Vernal Pool Poolooza 2021: Land Management
Friday, April 23rd at 11:30 am
Landowners talk about the maintenance and/or restoration of vernal pools near properties at Coyote Run, Centerburg, and Killdeer Wildlife Area.
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The Black Botanical Legacy Series: Uncovering the Black Botanical Legacy
Wednesday, April 14th at 7 pm
Dr. Tanisha Williams will take you on a journey to discover a forgotten Black history, Black botanical legacy. She will highlight the Black botanists that have paved the way for her to study the impacts of climate change on plants from around the world.
Presented by Holden Forests and Garden
View pdf for all Earth Day Events
ARBOR DAY CELEBRATIONS
The first American Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872, when Nebraskans planted an estimated 1 million trees. Nebraska journalist and politician, J. Sterling Morton, planted orchards, shade trees, and windbreaks on his own farm at Nebraska City. Morton was Secretary of Agriculture for President Cleveland and later served on Nebraska’s Board of Agriculture when he proposed that a special day be set aside dedicated to tree planting and raising awareness of the importance of trees. Nebraska made Arbor Day a legal holiday in 1885, using the date April 22 to commemorate Morton’s birthday. Trees have been celebrated around the world on Arbor Day for over a century, learn more about the history of Arbor Day.
The Arbor Day Foundation continues Morton’s work. National Arbor Day is now celebrated on the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates throughout the year based on the best tree-planting times in their area. Here in Ohio, we will celebrate Arbor Day 2021 on Friday, April 30th. Please note that when planting trees in your yard, be sure to review the Cleveland Tree Plan’s Revised Guide for Species Selection to determine what tree species will have the highest survival rate and provide the greatest benefits. You can also read the 2020 Tree Canopy Progress Report to understand progress made so far in implementing the 2015 Cleveland Tree Plan.
Again this year, and following COVID-19 safety precautions, the Cleveland Tree Coalition is celebrating Arbor Day virtually. The theme for this year is: Grow Trees, Grow Equity, Improve Health. Some of the events to watch for are:
- Panel discussion on growing an equitable tree canopy
- Ask the Arborist
- Careers in Forestry
- Videos from many Cleveland Tree Coalition partners
For a complete schedule of this year’s virtual Cleveland Tree Coalition events, visit their Facebook page.
Arbor Day Events
The Western Land Conservancy is offering a variety of free trees to Cleveland residents this Spring. Pick-up event is Saturday, May 1st.
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