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

The original celebration was postponed due to rain. The North Dakota Forest Service invites the public to a rescheduled celebration at the North Dakota Game and Fish headquarters at 100 N. Bismarck Expressway in Bismarck on Wednesday, June 4, 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 who attend, while supplies last, courtesy of Towner State Nursery.

The forest planting was spearheaded by former First Lady Nancy Jones Schafer and former Lt. Gov. 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.

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. In 1994, there were almost 8,600 births in North Dakota. 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.