The Arbor Day Foundation is the world's oldest and largest tree-planting organization.
Its million members plant millions of trees every year. New members receive
10 free trees. The foundation began September 3, 1971 with a mission "to
inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees". The Arbor Day Holiday
began more than 120 years ago in Nebraska City, Nebraska, it was founded by
J. Sterling Morton. The Foundation is supported by donations, selling trees
and merchandise, and by corporate sponsors, such as Home Depot, Citigroup, Frito
Lay, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Programs
The Arbor Day Foundation operates the Rain Forest Rescue charity. For every
$10 contributed by public donations, 2,500 square feet (230 m2) area of rain
forest is saved in the name of the donator. Rain Forest Rescue has preserved
nearly two billion square feet of land this way.
* Arbor Day Specialty Coffee is a Rain Forest Rescue program that helps preserve
the rain forest through shade-grown coffee techniques. The coffee is also certified
Fair Trade and Organic.
The Foundation also encourages communities across the nation to become Tree
City USAs by meeting four standards:
* The community must have a tree board or department.
* The community must have established on ordinance for tree care.
* There must be a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least
$2 per capita.
* The community must have an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Nature Explore Club (briefly called Kids Explore Club) is a program designed
to help educators, parents, and caregivers connect young children with nature.
The program has grown steadily to provide activities and projects for preschool
through third grade as well as give educators an opportunity to build and certify
a Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom using safe, durable, natural components.
Carly's Kids Corner, is a program designed for 4th grade and up. The mascot,
Carly Cardinal, was used since the 1980s. It features games such as Who Wants
to Be a Treelionaire (parody of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire).
