This 2 day event starts with a Professional day on Friday, April 26th 2024- Arbor Day - and a Public day on Saturday, April 27th 2024.

FRIDAY
Professional activities are for local firefighters, arborists, utility workers and similar trades who wish to be further educated on tree rescue techniques. The Media is invited to observe these training exercises. Coverage of this part of the event can aid in bringing attention to the public event that follows the next day.

Arbor Day Safety Symposium to Train Firefighters, Arborists, and Utility Workers in Tree Rescue Techniques

The Arbor Day Festival, scheduled for April 26th and 27th at Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden, will kick off with a special Safety Symposium on Friday, April 26th. The event will feature training sessions and live demonstrations aimed at enhancing tree rescue skills for firefighters, arborists, and utility workers. John Ball from North Dakota University will lead sessions on aerial rescue and EHAP, while Arborjet's Ryan Mason will provide valuable Plant Health Care credits. Additionally, Arborist, firefighters and, utility line clearance experts will explore safe working procedures. The symposium aims to foster collaboration among these crucial professions, ensuring the safety of our community and our urban forests.
Rhoneymeade - 177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, PA
For full details: Rhoneymeade.org/events

SATURDAY
Public activities will begin Saturday April 27th, 2024 at 10 am. Rhoneymeade is again participating with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) & Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) to significantly expand the tree cover for our Susquehanna watershed. Through them we are providing free trees to enhance the ecosystem of our communities. Many of these will be beneficial to our wildlife. We are also celebrating trees through art, appreciation, education and the many ways in which we benefit from them. The media is also invited to attend this event.

Saturday Event:
Arbor Day Festival Celebrates Community and Nature with Family-Friendly Activities

Join us on Saturday, April 27th, for a day filled with fun and educational activities at the Arbor Day Festival. The event will feature live music, food vendors, chainsaw art demonstrations, and interactive booths, plus free tree giveaway. Master Gardeners, along with Penn State's Shrooms and Blooms Club, will offer tree planting tips and educate on wildflowers. The local Boy Scouts will lead tree identification walks, and utility line clearance experts will be on hand to demonstrate safe practices. The festival aims to celebrate nature and promote environmental awareness in our community.
Rhoneymeade - 177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, PA
For full details: Rhoneymeade.org/events

Our Program will include:
Brian Stone of PA Fish & Wildlife Nursery in Howard will discuss care and maintenance of your trees & shrubs at 10:30 am.

Native Garden volunteers will demonstrate proper planting of your trees & we will offer an opportunity to plant milk weed seeds to encourage visitors to develop pollinator gardens in their own yards, especially the endangered Monarch Butterflies.

At 1:30 pm PSU Professor Sandy Smith will conduct a class on Tree identification during a walk in the woods. Yes, its easy with his technique.

"Forest Bathing", which provides therapeutic benefits & stress release.

Painting instruction will be offered to help draw out the beauty of trees and to decorate your home. Our garden and landscape is a perfect backdrop for this opportunity to learn a creative and expressive skill. Also come with your questions about photography and learn about our upcoming classes in the spring and summer. Some hands on advice will be shared as time allows.

Food and drinks are available as well as a make your own pizza, cooked in our outdoor brick & wood-fired pizza oven. Watch for additional programs as we solidify our vendors to join us on this day. Our full schedule will be available in early April.

See Rhoneymeade.org/events for details on both days and all of our upcoming events.