Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) will recognize reaching its five-year goal of planting and caring for 15,000 new trees in Northeast Ohio with a special People for Trees Celebration Week during Arbor Day week, Monday, April 21 through Saturday, April 26.

Holden Forests & Gardens' People for Trees initiative reached its 15,000 tree plantings goal.In February 2021 HF&G launched People for Trees to help build Cleveland’s tree canopy, which declined by 5% from 2011 to 2021. In rural areas, forest land decreased by 300,000 acres and three million live trees were lost between 2013 and 2018. HF&G made the commitment to help the Cleveland Tree Coalition’s goal to Reforest the Forest City and increase the city’s urban tree canopy cover from 18% to 30% by the year 2040.

“This year’s Arbor Day celebration [on Friday, April 25] will be especially meaningful for us as we mark the successful conclusion of our People for Trees campaign,” HF&G president and CEO Ed Moydell said in a statement. “Reaching our goal is an incredible milestone toward our mission to connect people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, and to inspire action for healthy communities. Let’s come together to celebrate trees, nature, and the impact we can make when we work as a community."

HF&G celebrates the planting and care of trees every day of the year, but the emphasis is especially present during April when spring is in the air. During Arbor Day week HF&G will have a celebration of all things trees at both the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland and the Cleveland Botanical Garden in University Circle.

Staff and experts will share how HF&G is making an impact through guided tours, free admission days, talks with our People for Trees volunteers, and more.

Here’s a rundown of everything going on Monday, April 21 through Saturday, April 26.

Expert Tree Tour with Dr. Katie StubleTree Tours with HF&G experts, Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Learn more about Holden Forests & Garden’s research, conservation, and community forestry work through free guided tours with our experts. It is the perfect way to experience our natural areas in a whole new light. The tours are free, but space is limited and registration is required.

Long Science Center for Plant & Environmental Science Behind-the-Scenes Tour with Dr. Danny Dlugos: Monday, April 21, 10, 11 a.m., Long Center.
The scientists at the Ellen Corning Long and T. Dixon Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science take pride in pioneering the science of plants and trees. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the labs and workspaces where our scientists are pioneering breakthroughs in plant and environmental science and discover HF&G’s work around forest health. Registration is free but required. The group will meet at the Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science.

How Global Changes Threaten Biodiversity with Dr. Katie Stuble: Tuesday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Bole Woods.
Hike with Dr. Katie Stuble and learn how HF&G scientists’ study of biodiversity threats – agricultural land use history, invasive species, and deer herbivory - have contributed to the study of global change phenomena. Guests will learn about research conducted in the Arboretum’s Bole Woods, a mature old-growth forest. Registrants will meet at the Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science. Registration is free but required.

Working Woods Behind-the-Scenes Tour with Rebecah Troutman: Wednesday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Working Woods Learning Forest.
The Working Woods Learning Forest is a 67-acre, nationally recognized, publicly accessible demonstration site at the Holden Arboretum. This forest integrates research and outreach to increase understanding of and promote best practices in forest management. Working Woods seeks to empower people to manage, protect, and create resilient forests in Ohio. Registrants will meet at Working Woods parking loop. Registration is free but required.

Spring Phenology with Dr. Katie Stuble, Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Holden Arboretum Wildflower Garden
Plant phenology is very responsive to environmental cues like temperature, weather, and light availability. Watching the ephemerals and forest canopy can clue us in to important ecosystem changes due to climate change. Learn more about the important data that Dr. Katie Stuble and her team of volunteers have been collecting by monitoring spring leaf out in the forest canopy in relation to the emergence and flowering of spring ephemeral wildflowers in the forest understory. Registrants will meet at the HF&G Welcome Tent in Greensward Lawn. Registration is free but required.

The Helen S. Layer Rhododendron GardenRhododendron Tour with Connor Ryan, Saturday April 26, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Holden Arboretum Layer Rhododendron Garden
Explore one of HF&G’s largest and most beautiful plant collections with Rhododendron Collections Manager Connor Ryan. While strolling through the garden, Connor will share the history of the collection as well as scientific and conservation activities the rhododendron collection supports. He will also talk about the care and use of rhododendrons and related plants in the home garden. Registrants will meet at the HF&G Welcome Tent in Greensward Lawn.

Cleveland Botanical Garden events

Cleveland Botanical Garden Community Day, Friday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Join the Botanical Garden for a day of environmental awareness, community engagement, and fun activities in celebration of Arbor Day! Enjoy free admission, giveaways, music, free seedlings for the first 300 households, and more.

Join HF&G’s Moydell and the City of Cleveland for an Arbor Day ceremonial tree planting. Remarks will begin at 1 p.m. in Woodland Hall, followed by the ceremonial planting off East Boulevard. Then, Moydell is set to take the mound for the ceremonial first pitch at the upcoming Guardians baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at 7:10 p.m. in honor of Arbor Day.

HF&G will also hold a community resource fair from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with tables by Cleveland Playhouse, City Fresh CSA, Environmental Health Watch, OhioGuidestone, and more.

Additionally, Power of Plants and crafts will take place at select times throughout the day. Visit the full schedule of events for more.

Holden Arboretum Open House, Saturday, April 26

HF&G 6th annual Arbor Day of Giving runs through Monday, April 28.Immerse yourself in a day of nature exploration, entertainment, and community fun at the Arboretum Open House, with activities running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Free admission with a seedling giveaway for the first 500 households.

There will be crafts, guided tours (registration required), and talks with our staff experts. HF&G will also host a seed swap, so bring your seeds to share.

This celebration will see the seasonal return of fresh snacks and lunches in the SPICE Catering Grab + Go Café Cooler, and Tram Tours will run throughout the day (tickets can be purchased at the Botanical Garden’s Corning Visitor Center). Stilt walkers and food trucks will be on site while guests explore the Arboretum.

Finally, HF&G 6^th annual Arbor Day of Giving runs through Monday, April 28. This year’s goal is $100,000 and every donation will be matched, up to $35,500. The donations will support educating the next generation of tree stewards and conducting crucial research to slow the rate of biodiversity loss.