A Perfect Day for a Tree

Lt. Governor Mike Foley and dignitaries from the Nebraska Forest Service and the Arbor Day Foundation braved a wet chilly Arbor Day to ceremonially plant a tree on the southwest lawn of the Nebraska State Capitol. During a brief break in the rain, Office of the Capitol Commission Administrator Bob Ripley conducted the ceremony to celebrate the 145 Arbor Day in Nebraska. Dr. Scott Josiah, State Forester with the Nebraska Forest Service and Dan Lambe President of the Arbor Day Foundation provided remarks to the hardy few on the grounds before Lt. Governor Mike Foley read Governor Pete Ricketts Arbor Day Proclamation. Then the dignitaries scooped shovels of soil around the Shingle Oak planted on the southwest lawn according the Capitol Landscape Architect Ernst Herminghaus master plan. The ceremony was concluded quickly as the drizzle began to fall. A perfect day for a tree, a little bit cold for the tree planters. Happy Arbor Day 2017! left to right, Lt. Governor Foley, Capitol Administrator Bob Ripley, State Forester Scott Josiah and Arbor DAy President Dan Lambe Lt. Goveror Foley proclaims April 28, 2017 Arbor Day in Nebraska Lt. Governor Foley shovels the first load of soil onto the tree, while Dr. Josiah and Dan Lambe wait their turn.