LINCOLN, NEB. (April 18, 2005)--It has been more than 130 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day in Nebraska. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for planting trees is still recognized across the United States and internationally, but nowhere is it celebrated more proudly than in Nebraska City.

In 1872, Morton proposed a tree planting holiday, offering prizes to counties and individuals in Nebraska for properly planting the largest number of trees on one day. It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted during that first holiday. With other states adopting Nebraska's proclamation, popularity of the holiday quickly grew.

This year, Arbor Day will be celebrated the weekend of April 29 in Nebraska City. The three-day event will be filled with entertainment, educational events for school-aged children, a parade, crafts shows, environmental games, and a festival of foods.

After enjoying the festivities, the public also can visit the many sites that preserve the legacy of Morton, including the 52-room neocolonial mansion located within a 72-acre arboretum with a lilac walk featuring more than 200 varieties of lilacs.

The Tree Adventure at the Arbor Day Farm allows people to visit the Lied Greenhouse, take a walk through a simulated forest, and experience interactive exhibits. The tour ends with a scenic hike through the forest and a bird's-eye view from the tree house.

Leave time to see the new Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail & Visitors Center. The Center has fascinating exhibits of the flora and fauna that Lewis and Clark encountered during their historic journey.

After a full day of the outdoors, the Lied Lodge and Conference Center is the perfect spot to relax. This amazing structural tribute to nature is a full-service facility, and offers 144 guest rooms featuring work-study areas and dataports, a fine dining restaurant, cocktail lounge, indoor swimming pool, and a jacuzzi, sauna and fitness center. Walking and jogging trails and nearby golf are available for relaxation.

For information on experiencing Nebraska City and to receive a free Nebraska travel packet, call 1-877-NEBRASKA, or visit the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Division of Travel and Tourism's Web site at www.VisitNebraska.org

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Mary Ethel Emanuel at 800-228-4307,
402-471-3797, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it