The Society of American Foresters Proudly Supports the 2022 US Capitol Christmas Tree
The People’s Tree will spread holiday cheer on its journey from North Carolina to Washington, DC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2022
WASHINGTON—Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light up the West Lawn of the US Capitol building for the holiday season. The
National Forests in North Carolina, in partnership with nonprofit partner
Choose Outdoors, will bring the 2022 US Capitol Christmas Tree from the Pisgah National Forest to Washington, D.C, with support from sponsors, including the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
The 78-foot-tall red spruce will be harvested on the Pisgah National Forest in early November and prepared for the nearly 1,000-mile expedition. With the theme “From the mountains to the sea,” the journey will include a series of outdoor community celebrations across North Carolina and Virginia before being delivered to the US Capitol on Nov. 18, where it will be decorated with handmade ornaments and tree skirts specially created by North Carolinians. Smaller companion trees also will be provided to decorate offices inside the US Capitol building and other sites throughout Washington, DC.
“We are beyond grateful for the partners who play a vital role in bringing the tree to Washington. D.C,” said James Melonas, Forest Supervisor, National Forests in North Carolina.
As a Silver sponsor, the SAF team of members and staff, Tara Dickson, Aimee Tomcho, Dakota Wagner, Jacob Comer, Kevin O’Kane, and Lori Rasor, have developed key messages and educational pieces to share with the event attendees along the tour route. In addition, SAF will be present at some of the stops along the tour route.
“This partnership allows SAF to connect numerous communities to our forests and the professionals who steward them,” said Terry Baker, SAF CEO. “In our second year as a silver sponsor of the US Capitol Christmas Tree, we are eager and excited to showcase the importance of scientific, sustainable management of our nation's forests. The people’s tree has a rich history of connecting our nation's population to trees and forests.”
“The annual journey is only possible with the help of strong community partnerships throughout North Carolina and beyond state lines,” said Bruce Ward, President of Choose Outdoors. “We’re grateful for the time and resources SAF provides to help make this the best year yet.”
In addition to presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, the initiative is made possible with cash and in-kind contributions from large and small companies and volunteers locally and across America who provide vital support of time and resources. For a list of 2022 sponsors, visit
uscapitolchristmastree.com/sponsors.
For news, events, tour information and to track the tree on its cross-country journey, visit
https://www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.
Follow the #USCapitolChristmasTree2022 project through the hashtag and the below accounts:
• Facebook:
@USCapitolChristmasTree
• Twitter:
@USCapitolTree
• Instagram:
@USCapitolChristmasTree
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Media Contact:
Caylee Reid
[email protected]
202-938-3910
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing over 9,000 forestry and related natural resources professionals across the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, SAF promotes science-based, sustainable management and stewardship of the nation’s public and private forests. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SAF members include forestry and natural resource professionals in public and private settings, researchers, CEOs, administrators, NGOs, consulting foresters, educators, and students.