As the first hints of spring continue to add color to the Willamette Valley, the Salem Public Library is inviting the city’s youngest residents to participate in a hands-on environmental legacy. In partnership with the national non-profit Neighborhood Forest, registration is officially open for the Free Earth Day Tree Program.
A Partnership Rooted in Community
This program is part of a broader effort by Neighborhood Forest to provide children with the joy of watching a tree grow from a sapling to a towering part of the local ecosystem. The initiative aims to “put a forest in every backyard,” and by partnering with the Salem Public library, the environmental benefits are accessible to families across the city at zero cost.
By giving a child a tree that is theirs to plant, water, and protect, the program fosters a lifelong connection to the natural world. The simple act of digging in the dirt can provide a grounded and tangible way to celebrate Earth Day.
What’s in the Dirt? Program Details
Families who register their child for the program will receive a free sapling to plant this spring. The program focuses on native trees or fruit-bearing varieties that are well-suited for the Pacific Northwest climate. Native trees are particularly valuable for Salem’s urban canopy, as they require less water once established and provide vital habitats for local pollinators and bird populations.
The logistics are designed to be as simple as possible for busy families:
- Eligibility: The program is free and open to all children in the Salem area.
- Registration Deadline: Parents must sign up their children by March 15, 2026.
- Delivery: Trees will be available for pickup at the Salem Public Library during the week of Earth Day (April 22).
Trees can also be purchased by community members for $10. For every tree that is purchased, a free tree is donated to a child in the program.
Expanding Salem’s Urban Canopy
While a single sapling might seem small, the collective impact is significant. Urban trees play a critical role in providing natural cooling during Oregon’s increasingly warm summers, known as mitigating the “heat island” effect. Fruit-bearing trees can also contribute to local food security and provide children with a firsthand look at where their food comes from.
The Salem Public Library’s involvement highlights the evolving role of libraries as community resources for more than just books. By facilitating this program, the library is helping to expand Salem’s tree canopy, which city officials have identified as a key component of the Salem Climate Action Plan.
Growing a Legacy
The Free Earth Day Tree Program is reminder that big environmental changes often start with small, local actions. For the children of Salem, the sapling they plant in April 2026 could become the tree that provides shade as they play ten years from now.