Celebrate Arbor Day at the Museum of Nature and Science on Saturday, April 6 from 9AM to 12pm with fun-filled family activities.
Tree seedlings will be given to all attendees. All activities are in the courtyard between the Branigan Cultural Center and the Museum of Art and admission is free.
Dr. John Mexal, Professor of Horticulture at New Mexico State University, will portray J. Sterling Morgan, the founder of the first Arbor Day and President Cleveland’s Secretary of Agriculture. As J. Sterling Morton, Dr. Mexal and other professionals answer all of your questions in our “Ask the Arborist” activity.
A ceremonial tree planting ceremony takes place at the museum at 10:30am followed by raffle drawings for 5 gallon Texas Red Oak trees. Please note: you must be present to win and must be able to take the tree at that time!
Arbor Day was founded on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska City, Nebraska. On the first Arbor Day in 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted. By the 1920s, each state had passed laws that stipulated a certain date be specified as either Arbor Day or Arbor and Bird Day. Since gaining statehood in 1912, New Mexico has proudly celebrated this important day!
Arbor Day is sponsored by the City of Las Cruces Museums, CLC Parks and Recreation Department, Keep Las Cruces Beautiful, The New Mexico Forestry Department, the Tree Stewards and representatives from the College of Agriculture at the Doña Ana County Extension Office and Ground Work Dona Ana.
MoNaS is located at 411 North Main Street. For additional information, visit our Las Cruces Arbor Day page on Facebook or visit the website at: las-cruces.org/museums or call (575) 522-3120.