Helena Honors History with Arbor Day Event

Published on April 21, 2023

HELENA, Mont. – The City of Helena honored a piece of history over a century old this Arbor Day, while helping to shape the future of Mount Helena. On Friday, April 28, the City hosted students from Central Elementary School to participate in tree planting in the burned areas left from the 2022 Mount Helena fire. The activity paid homage to a similar tree planting that occurred on Arbor Day in 1899.

Thanks to collaboration with the Montana Historical Society, City staff were able to recreate the tree planting activity that took place on Mount Helena 124 years ago. On that day, Helena school children carried a tree seedling up the mountain during one of the first documented attempts to reforest Mount Helena. They were accompanied by members of the Helena Symphony, who played the violin during the event.

This year’s activity included fourth and fifth grade students from Central School, who planted 140 seedlings while also dispersing native grass seed to help restore the burn area. Volunteers took turns playing violin music throughout the day to further recreate the original event. Three groups of students participated in the activity, each in two-hour timeframes. An Arbor Day proclamation was read at 8:45 a.m., with the student participation running from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The City’s Open Lands division coordinated acquisition of trees and grass seed to ensure it meets the standards established for Helena’s open spaces. Flags were placed prior to the event to guarantee the trees are planted in appropriate locations and are provided the best opportunity for success.

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