2015 Arbor Day at the Capitol

First Lady Susanne Shore was at the Nebraska State Capitol Arbor Day April 24, 2015 to help plant a Red Oak tree on the south lawn. The Red Oak planted by Mrs. Shore and students from St. Mary’s School is the 50th tree planted at the annual Capitol Arbor Day celebration initiated in 1999 Community Forester Dave Mooter. The Capitol Arbor Day celebrations are a reminder of the importance of trees in our landscapes. Others in attendance to celebrate Arbor Day at the Capitol were Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dr. Scott Josiah, the State Forester with the Nebraska Forest Service.  Following brief remarks by these dignitaries, First Lady Susanne Shore greeted those assembled and then read Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts official Arbor Day Proclamation. The Red Oak tree planted on Arbor Day 2015 takes the place of one of an oak planted on the Capitol grounds during the original Capitol landscape project in 1934. Mrs. Shore reminded the students and others that replanting and replacing trees which fail or die in an investment in the students future. Arbor Day president Lambe reminded the group that Arbor Day is a holiday which does not look to the past, but plants trees to make a better future for all.