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Conservation, Bird, and Arbor Day California Education Code designates March 7 as the anniversary of the birthday of Luther Burbank and also Conservation, Bird and Arbor Day. Schools are encouraged to "include instruction on the economic value of birds and trees, and the promotion of a spirit of protection toward them, and as to the economic value of natural resources, and the desirability of their conservation." Luther Burbank
Arbor Day
Bird Day
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Luther Burbank was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts
on March 7, 1849. In California, his birthday is celebrated as
Arbor Day and trees are planted in his memory. Burbank made his
home in Santa Rosa, California. He lived there for more than 50
years conducting plant breeding experiments. Burbank introduced
more than 800 new varieties of plants including over 200 kinds of
fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and hundreds of ornamental flowers.
Burbank died in 1926. His home and garden, located in downtown
Santa Rosa, have been certified as historical landmarks.
The first Arbor Day occurred on April 10, 1872 in
Nebraska. Julius Sterling Morton was the founder of Arbor Day.
It has been estimated that over one million trees were planted in
Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. All fifty states celebrate Arbor
Day at some time during the spring. In 1970, President Nixon
proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Arbor
Day is also celebrated in other countries including Australia.
Variations of Arbor Day include Greening Week in Japan, New Year's Days
of Trees in Israel, Tree Loving Week in Korea, Reforestation Week in
Yugoslavia, Students' Afforestation Day in Iceland and the National
Festival of Tree Planting in India. Arbor Day is celebrated in
California on March 7. The state tree is the California Redwood.
Bird Day started on May 4, 1894. In Oil City,
Pennsylvania, school Superintendent Charles A. Babcock suggested the
holiday for his school district. In 1896, Bird Day was also
celebrated in the schools of Fort Madison, Iowa. The United States
Department of Agriculture issued a circular in 1896 suggesting that a
"Bird Day" be added to the school calendar. Often combined with Arbor
Day, Bird Day is widely celebrated encouraging conservation training and
awareness of birds for everyone. In 1931, the California Quail,
also known as the Valley Quail, became the state bird in California.