The 2025 Arbor Day Festival will be held at the Nebraska National Forest in Halsey, Nebraska, on April 24 and 25, 2025. The event is open to elementary classes and homeschool families. The Arbor Day Festival was created following Nebraska's Bovee wildfire, which occurred in 2022.
Nebraska 4-H, along with the U.S. Forest Service and the Nebraska Forest Service, wanted to connect youth with the land in the wake of a significant natural disaster. A field day experience that focuses on environmental education was created. The day also celebrates Nebraska's part in the history of Arbor Day.
Presenters for the Arbor Day Festival come from a variety of backgrounds and youth learn from Master Naturalists, Extension Educators, Foresters, etc. who all work in natural resource conservation and education.
Youth participate in various educational activities, including a tour of the Charles E. Bessey Tree Nursery and a guided hike to explore some of the forest. Each student gets to take a tree home, which is donated by the nursery, to plant in celebration of Arbor Day.
To participate in the 2025 Arbor Day Festival, contact Nebraska Extension in Central Sandhills at 308-645-2267.
