Celebrate Arbor Day with nature in mind

Each year for Arbor Day, the Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) plants trees in common locations around the Village. This year, as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, we are connecting more with our natural surroundings and history. Join friends and neighbors to celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, April 23 at the North Creek Nature Center, 20300 Aspenwood Lane. Enjoy family nature activities and service opportunities from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

MVF will re-open the doors to the Nature Center for this fun-filled day! Originally, the building was used as a bus stop for commuting to Washington, D.C., before it was moved to the current location. Since then, it has been used for nature camps and programs along North Creek Lake.

Begin the day at 9 a.m. with MVF staff and members of the Committee on the Environment to “Rake the Lake” at North Creek Lake. This important community service project involves removing litter and debris from the park, lake and lakeshore, in an effort to maintain the environment for the wildlife that live there and the aesthetic for visitors and passersby.

At 10 a.m., join the MVF Board of Directors for an Arbor Day Tree Planting at the lake. The planting is part of Montgomery Village’s commitment to remaining a Tree City USA. MVF’s landscaping contractor, The Brickman Group will donate the tree. Following the tree planting, enjoy workshops on tree planting, creating a Monarch Butterfly waystation and Monarch Butterfly tagging. Families can take part in a nature walk around North Creek Lake, plant seeds to create a waystation, make butterfly-inspired crafts and take home seeds and seedlings to plant.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to reconnect with nature in your own backyard.