National Arbor Day

In Spring 2023, Yale University proudly garnered Tree Campus Higher Education recognition from the National Arbor Day Foundation. Together with over 500 volunteer tree-planting hours from students, alumni, faculty, and staff, this honor is the result of a nine-year collaborative effort of a core group of staff members from the Office of Sustainability, Facilities, Office of Public Affairs and Communications, and the Urban Resources Initiative at the School of the Environment. Our campus joins 411 university and college campuses across the U.S. in meeting five vigorous standards that include an annual campus-wide celebration to enhance learning about the benefits of trees.

When it comes to celebrating National Arbor Day at Yale, all are invited to participate and there’s something for everyone. Check out a few of the ideas below and be sure to give your favorite tree a hug!

Trail Blazers

Commune with the trees! Explore a campus trail or wander farther afield.

Campus walks

• Yale’s Staff Service Recognition milestone tree trail
• Yale Nature Walk

Walks beyond campus

• CT Blue Blaze Hiking Trails
• Yale Forests

Tree Planters and Huggers

Dig deep. Do good.

• Yale Day of Service tree planting is May 13, 9 a.m. Register.

Zen Masters

Research shows that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress, enhance well-being, and creativity. See for yourself.

• Get fresh ideas for bringing green space into your workday when you attend Nature and Health: Why it’s important to add some “green time” to your daily agenda. This in-person and virtual session is on May 9, noon – 1 p.m.
• “Tree pose,” anyone? Try Rise and Shine! Mindful Movement in the Morning on April 28, 7:15 a.m.
• Meditate and reflect on nature with Yale Community Zoom Meditation, April 28, 12:15 p.m.
• Take a Tree Tour at Marsh Botanical Garden, April 28, 4:30 p.m.

Lifelong Learners

Yale stands tall as a leader in environmental studies. Take advantage and learn from the experts.

• Listen to a powerful replay of A Tree’s View of History: A Conversation with Lacy M. Johnson with Mary Evelyn Tucker at the Forest School at the School of the Environment. In this discussion, Lacy M. Johnson expands on her essay on the longleaf pine’s integral role in the American slave trade featured in the Autumn 2022 issue of Orion, and the ways in which trees bear witness to the evolution of culture and what they may be able to tell us about ourselves now.
• Create a Homegrown National Park: Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy explains how. (Be sure to also check out his latest book, too, The Nature of Oaks.) Visit Tallamy’s website for talks, guidance, and resources.
• Sweet! Find out how a new extension program at Yale-Myers Forest will help sugar producers enhance production in sustainable ways.
• Be a citizen scientist: use the free app, iNaturalist, to report your sightings. Check out the Beyond Your Backdoor blog by Yale Peabody naturalist Jim Sirch to learn more.

Storytellers and Family-Fun Makers

Share your tree story.

• Is there a soft spot in your heart for a special tree perhaps from your childhood or one that’s in your yard or neighborhood? Post a brief story and feel free to share a photo, too.
• Looking for a little family fun? Find a forest or park near you and create a digital family storybook to capture your memories.

Managers and Engagement Teams

Break out the fun with tree-themed staff engagement and recognition activities.

• Play a few rounds of Tree Trivia! See details on how to play.
• Treat your team to a lunch break tree-painting class.
• Download the Chat Stickers collection and share the “Rootin’ for ya” and “Unbe-leaf-able” stickers to cheer on your colleagues.
• Make someone’s day. Send a Ycard to a staff member featuring a campus spring tree scene.