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Around the Forest Service: December 2024

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—As we reflect on the year's accomplishments, we can be proud knowing we made a difference for people and communities. This year marked 60 years of providing the People's Tree, and Spruce Wayne, a 60-foot Sitka spruce, traveled an enormous distance to land on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol Christmas tree will be lit nightly through Jan. 1, 2025. This year saw…
#Video, #CapitolChristmasTree, #HurricaneRecovery, #ForestLegacyProgram, #SmokeyBear, #Christmas, #ChristmasTrees

You’re invited to the 2024 Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

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Editor's note: This livestream event was recorded Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Watch the recording below.  WASHINGTON, D.C.—You are cordially invited to virtually join Chief Randy Moore, members of Alaska’s congressional delegation, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and others for the lighting ceremony for the Capitol…
#CapitolChristmasTree, #USCapitolChristmasTree, National Capitol Christmas Tree

Alaska ornaments, art, and…unity

Native American ornaments of smiling, winking faces.
In Alaska, holiday cheer began early this year. Alaskans and Alaska Native peoples spent their long summer days tapping into their inner artist, crafting nearly fifteen thousand beautifully handmade ornaments to adorn the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.These ornaments are more than just impressive, festive decorations.Many of the ornaments honor the state’s rich and historic Indigenous culture, as…
#Alaska, indigenous traditions, #Traditions, cultural, #Tribes, #CapitolChristmasTree, #Christmas

2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree goes to Washington

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Harvesting the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree at the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. (USDA Forest Service photo) ALASKA—The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree hails from the Alaska Region of the Forest Service. An annual symbol of hope and celebration, the tree offers an opportunity to showcase Alaska's…
#CapitolChristmasTree

Plants of the Winter Solstice

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By Larry Stritch Plants play an important role in many of our holiday traditions, including the season surrounding the winter solstice. Winter solstice, occurring on or around December 21st, is the first day of winter, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. To early cultures, the winter solstice was a day of both…
#Winter, #CapitolChristmasTree, #Christmas, #Holidays

Around the Forest Service: November 2023

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WASHINGTON, DC—Working together makes a difference. In November, the agency celebrated partnerships of all kinds. We're restoring longleaf pine forests: The Forest Service, partners and America’s Longleaf Pine Restoration Initiative are working together to restore these forests, which are hotspots for biodiversity and provide habitat to endangered species.We're continuing to bring wildfire…
#CapitolChristmasTree, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade