Submitted Photo A family plants a tree for Arbor Day in 1995 as part of the “Year of the Family” forest planting in Bismarck.

BISMARCK – The North Dakota Forest Service is recognizing 30 years since the “Year of the Family” family forest planting.

This project was spearheaded by the former First Lady Nancy Jones Schafer and former Lieutenant Governor Rosemarie Myrdal in 1994, which was declared the “Year of the Family.” As chair of the Centennial Trees Commission, Myrdal proposed that a tree should be planted for every child born in North Dakota in 1994. She called this initiative the “Family Forest.”

Led by State Forester Larry Kotchman, the North Dakota Forest Service brought Myrdal’s idea to life. In conjunction with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the planting site selected was the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWLS) at the Game and Fish headquarters in east Bismarck. In 1994, there were almost 8,600 births in North Dakota. In order to properly plant such a large number of trees, a design needed to be drawn and a plan followed to account for such a large undertaking. Thus, a shelterbelt planting design was selected.

As many of those babies who were originally honored are now having families of their own, a celebration to honor the tradition of tree planting is planned as the 2025 State Arbor Day. Anyone is welcome to join the fun, and a special invitation is extended to any family who was involved in the original planting.

The event will be held at the North Dakota Game and Fish headquarters at 100 N. Bismarck Expressway in Bismarck on Tuesday, May 20, from 6-7:30 p.m.. A ceremonial tree planting and program will begin at 6 p.m., and 100 free tree seedlings will be given to families while supplies last, courtesy of Towner State Nursery.