U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to stop at Michigan State University during 2014 Tour

The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will make a stop at Michigan State University (MSU) Nov. 14 on its way to Washington, D.C. It will be on display for visitors and hosted by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR).

The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will make a stop at Michigan State University (MSU) Nov. 14 on its way to Washington, D.C. It will be on display for visitors and hosted by the MSU Department of Forestry and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR).

 

MSU will host two events Nov. 14 at the MSU Auditorium to mark the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s visit:

  • 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., an opportunity for local school children to see the tree.
  • 4-7 p.m., a public event.

Both events are free of charge.

 

In addition to viewing the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, visitors can take advantage of numerous other activities centered on forests, natural Christmas trees, the outdoors and the holiday season. MSU forestry students will lead elementary students through planting tree seedlings to take home with them as a memento of their visit.

 

“Having a tree at the center of this event calls attention to the importance of forests and trees to both the quality of the environment and the economy,” said Rich Kobe, chair of the MSU Department of Forestry. “Forests provide clean water and air and at the same time contribute more than $14 billion to Michigan’s economy through wood products.”

 

The U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with Choose Outdoors and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, will take this gift from Minnesota to Washington, D.C., for the 2014 season, involving nearly 30 communities along the way.

 

The tree will be cut during a public ceremony Oct. 29 from the Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota, and will be moved to Bemidji State University, where it will be prepared for the nearly 2,000-mile cross-country expedition. The tree is an 80-foot-plus white spruce

 

 “We are honored that the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will visit East Lansing on its way to Washington, D.C.,” said Fred Poston, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at MSU. “We are looking forward to the opportunity it brings to highlight our forestry department and the important work that our students and faculty do there all year long.”

 

Seventy companion trees will be provided by the Minnesota Tree Growers Association to decorate the inside of the U.S. Capitol and other sites throughout Washington, D.C., along with 10,000 ornaments created by children and others from Minnesota communities.

Costs associated with the tree's transportation and special events are covered by contributions by individuals, corporations and local communities, including major supporters Lifetouch and Kenworth Truck Company.

 

For news, updates, and tour information and to track the tree cross-country, visit www.capitolchristmastree.com, along with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

About the MSU Department of Forestry

 

Founded in 1902, the MSU Department of Forestry offers the longest-standing bachelor’s degree program in forestry in the United States.  The department was established to provide a scientific basis for the sustainable management of Michigan’s forests.  Continuing this leading tradition, faculty members conduct research in Michigan and throughout the world to advance understanding and management of forests. For more information, visit http://www.for.msu.edu/.

 

About the Chippewa National Forest
The Chippewa National Forest is the first national forest established east of the Mississippi River, with nearly 1.6 million acres at the River’s headwaters in north central Minnesota. The forest shares boundaries with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and contains outstanding cultural resources; premier habitat for aquatic, riparian and terrestrial wildlife and plants, including nesting habitat for the largest breeding population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states; and vast wetland resources. Visit the Chippewa National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/chippewa for more information.

 

About the U.S. Forest Service
The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres in the United States, of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. For more information, see www.fs.fed.us.

 

About Choose Outdoors:

Choose Outdoors is a coalition for outdoor recreation comprised of people and organizations who are passionate about outdoor recreation, support public lands, waters and the agencies charged with their care. For more information, visit www.chooseoutdoors.org.

 

 

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