A resolution celebrating the 154th anniversary of Arbor Day.

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Crapo and 5 co-sponsors

Declares April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day and promotes trees, forest stewardship, urban forestry, and public participation as part of climate and conservation efforts.

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Summary of S. Res. 719 (119th Congress) – Celebrating the 154th Anniversary of Arbor Day

Primary purpose

To recognize and celebrate Arbor Day, marking its 154th anniversary on April 24, 2026.

To acknowledge the importance of trees, forest stewardship, and urban forestry as part of national and community well-being, resilience, and climate solutions.

To encourage public participation in Arbor Day activities across the United States.

Key provisions and changes

Formal declaration by the Senate that April 24, 2026, shall be recognized as “Arbor Day.”

Acknowledgment that Arbor Day originated on April 10, 1872, and is observed nationally and globally as a time to plant trees and promote greener communities.

Emphasis on:

The role of trees and forests in civic engagement, land stewardship, and environmental education for future generations.
The importance of working forests in increasing tree numbers, sustainable management, and low annual harvesting rates (cited as less than 2 percent of working forests harvested each year).
The contribution of active forest management to carbon sequestration, climate resilience, and the broader use of sustainably grown wood in infrastructure and construction (including timber framing and mass timber).
Private forests’ role in conservation of at-risk species and collaborative conservation efforts that benefit ecosystems while preserving forested land.
The Arbor Day Foundation and Tree City USA programs’ efforts to urbanize and greenness communities, noting that Tree City USA communities house a substantial portion of the U.S. population and contribute to urban forestry outcomes.

Encouragement for participation: The resolution urges people of the United States to participate in Arbor Day activities.

Who/what would be affected

The resolution has a symbolic and symbolic-educational impact rather than creating new regulatory requirements or funding mechanisms.

It highlights and supports:

Public awareness and civic engagement around Arbor Day.
Recognition of private forest owners, forestry practices, and urban forestry programs (Tree City USA, Arbor Day Foundation) as integral to environmental stewardship and climate-related goals.
Communities and stakeholders involved in forestry, conservation, and sustainable wood use.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and considered in the Senate on April 30, 2026.

Passed by unanimous consent without amendments or a formal floor debate; a preamble was included in the record.

No accompanying fiscal provisions, regulatory changes, or enforcement mechanisms accompany the resolution; it is a ceremonial, commemorative measure.

Additional context

Co-sponsors include Senators Angus King, Mike Crapo, Cynthia Lummis, Pete Ricketts, Jim Risch, and Tina Smith.

The resolution reflects ongoing bipartisan interest in forestry, conservation, and the use of wood products as part of climate and conservation strategies.

This summary captures the bill’s purpose, key points, affected stakeholders, and its largely ceremonial nature. If you’d like, I can provide a brief explainer on Arbor Day’s origins and the Tree City USA program for further context.