Arbor Day 2025 Wrapped: A Celebration Rooted in Action
Often called the tree planter’s holiday, Arbor Day is the oldest environmental holiday on the calendar — first celebrated in 1872 — and a time to appreciate and celebrate all that trees do for our world.
Arbor Day 2025 was more than just a moment on the calendar — it was a movement grounded in purpose and powered by people.
Across the nation, individuals, communities, and organizations joined us in celebrating the holiday closely aligned with our mission: to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
From planting trees in neighborhood parks to making national news, this year’s celebration reinforced the belief that trees are an essential and uniting force for good. Let’s take a look back at some of the moments and milestones that brought Arbor Day 2025 to life.
A movement of collective action
By partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation, VT UCF staff have been able to narrow down specific geographic areas within a city where property owners would be eligible to receive trees for free. This has included focusing on downtowns with accessible public spaces and high density residential areas where the entire community could benefit from more shade provided by trees.
VT UCF staff have utilized state datasets and tools to identify priority areas. One such tool is the Heat Vulnerability Index, developed by the Vermont Department of Health. The index juxtaposes measures of population, demographics such as age, reported health conditions, and previous rates of emergency room visits on high heat days.
“What’s really unique about Vermont is the strategic angle they’ve taken with the evaluation of health and choosing those communities,” said Kristen Bousquet, senior manager of corporate partnerships at the Arbor Day Foundation.
With boots on the ground and hands in the soil, Arbor Day 2025 was a powerful reminder that real change takes collective action. This year, our message was clear: Let’s Grow. Across the globe, our unmatched network of local planting partners, members, and corporate sponsors rose to the challenge and helped bring this work to life. Together, we planted nearly 1.2 million trees worldwide.
Just over 1 million of those were planted by more than 61,000 individuals who wanted to make a difference this Arbor Day season. Supporters gave to plant trees in forests and communities of greatest need, purchased trees to plant in their own backyards, and shopped eco-friendly products that support our planet.
Approximately 135,083 trees were planted and distributed across 132 cities in 39 states through our Community Trees team, in collaboration with local planting partners, during the month of April. Our partners help ensure we’re planting the right trees, in the right places, at the right times. Whether in a neighborhood park needing shade or a forest recovering from wildfire, these dedicated partners know their communities and landscapes best.
Thanks to our dedicated members and generous supporters, these trees are taking root in the places that need them most – bringing shade to communities, restoring habitats, and helping to heal our planet one tree at a time.
Arbor Day made National Headlines
All April long, the spotlight was on the importance of trees. National media coverage amplified the urgency and hope rooted in our mission, bringing tree planting and forest recovery to the forefront of the public conversation.
The Weather Channel, ABC News, and CBS News all showcased the powerful role trees play in building more resilient communities and ecosystems.
One of our proudest moments was when members of our team rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange — a symbolic gesture and vital reminder that sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it’s an investment in our collective future. That moment was made even more meaningful knowing that dozens of our corporate partners listed on the NYSE are already vested in this work — championing sustainability through the power of trees.
Let's Keep Growing – Join the Movement
While Arbor Day 2025 may be in the rearview, this work continues every day. The momentum we built together doesn’t stop when April ends — and the best part? You can be a part of it.
Whether it’s planting a tree in your yard, supporting reforestation efforts around the world, volunteering locally, or simply spreading the word that trees aren’t just “nice to have” — they’re a need to have — your actions matter. Because doing something bigger than all of us, takes all of us.
