jodi Uncategorized Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, US Forest Service, USDA Forest Service, WCHS
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was harvested Wednesday, Nov. 1, from the Monongahela National Forest in the Greenbrier Ranger District. Follow the journey, beginning with this story from Brad Rice, a photojournalist with WCHS 8 (West Virginia).
jodi Uncategorized AHF Products, Endlessly Wild and Wonderful, Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, USDA Forest Service
After being harvested on Nov. 1, staff spent three days prepping the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for its journey from the mountains of West Virginia to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
West Hempfield Township-based AHF Products Inc. lent its facility to ready and wrap the tree in Beverly, West Virginia. AHF is a second-year sponsor. Beverly is located near Elkins, WV, home of the Monongahela National Forest. View this timelapse of part of the process.
jodi Uncategorized Elkins, Elkins Main Street, Endlessly Wild and Wonderful, Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, US Forest Service, USDA Forest Service
The 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will visit Elkins in early November on its way to Washington, D.C. The free event, set for Saturday, Nov. 4, will feature a parade, live music, and activities for children.
“We are honored that the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will kick off its journey to Washington, D.C. from Elkins,” Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco said. “Our community looks forward to being a part of this gift to the nation and the joy it will bring to our community this holiday.”
The Nov. 4 festivities in Elkins will include remarks by invited government officials, free treats and hot chocolate, a coat drive, music, and children’s activities.
The event will begin with a parade, as local bands escort the tree down Third Street from the Jennings Randolph Federal Building to the Elkins Depot. Onlookers will receive small U.S. and West Virginia flags, provided by Our Town, Inc., to wave as the bands and trees go by.
Parade viewers will then be encouraged to join the back of the parade and march along to the Depot. Once there, the festivities will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Elves from The Old Brick Playhouse will also join the celebration. The event is free and open to the public.
The Elkins Depot Welcome Center will be decorated, and the nearby streets will be adorned with wreaths purchased in honor or memoriam by local citizens. The installation of these wreaths and six snowflakes on Randolph Avenue is being provided by a donation from FirstEnergy.
The “Elfkins Planning Team” has been working on the arrangements for this kick-off event. The planning team includes Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco and his staff, the Randolph County Development Authority, the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber, Elkins Main Street, the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, the Old Brick Playhouse, Citizens Promoting Community, and Our Town, Inc.
jodi Uncategorized Endlessly Wild and Wonderful, Monongahela National Forest, Senator Manchin, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, US Forest Service, USDA Forest Service
Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced Ethan Reese from Beverly Elementary School in Randolph County as the winner of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest. More than 400 entries were received from fourth graders across West Virginia. Ethan will travel to DC this holiday season to take part in the official tree-lighting ceremony alongside members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and the public.
“I’m thrilled to announce Ethan Reese from Beverly Elementary School has won the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest out of more than 400 outstanding submissions,” said Senator Manchin. “Ethan will join us in DC this holiday season to officially light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be from West Virginia’s beautiful Monongahela National Forest. The celebration will showcase not only our remarkable forestry, but also our strong community spirit. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and shared with me what our Wild and Wonderful home means to you – I can’t wait to celebrate with Ethan, our fellow West Virginians and our fellow Americans.”
For this year’s essay contest, fourth grade students were invited to describe in 500 words why they love West Virginia’s forests and public lands, incorporating the theme of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree: “Endlessly Wild & Wonderful.” Senator Manchin selected Ethan to receive a once-in-a-lifetime all-expenses paid trip for him and one guardian to travel to Washington, DC to take part in the official tree-lighting ceremony alongside members of Congress and the public. Ethan will be invited to attend several other festivities during his visit at a date to be determined in late November or early December.
The Capitol Christmas Tree – known as “The People’s Tree” – lights up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holiday season and is selected from a different national forest each year, a tradition that began in 1970 when Monongahela National Forest provided the first tree on behalf of the Forest Service. Monongahela National Forest also provided the tree in 1976. This year, the tree will be harvested in Randolph County from the Greenbrier Ranger District and will travel around West Virginia throughout November before heading to Washington.
For more information about the tree, travel route, schedule and special events, please click here.
A video of Senator Manchin congratulating Ethan is available here.
Ethan’s winning essay can be found below:
My name is Ethan Reese, and I am in 4th Grade at Beverly Elementary School. I live very close to where the Capitol Christmas Tree is from, the Monongahela National Forest. I spend a lot of time there with my family, and I am the great-great grandson of one of the very first Superintendents of the Monongahela National Forest. The biggest reason I love West Virginia forests and public lands is because they allow me to spend time with my family. I take photographs with my dad, hike with my mom, fish with my grandpa, identify wildflowers with my grandparents, travel and explore with my parents, and camp with all of my family.
One of my favorite things to do in West Virginia’s forests and public lands is to identify plants and animals, especially birds. I did see a black bear once, which was pretty exciting. I really enjoy wildflower identification the most. My parents and grandparents tell me I “get it honest” because my grandfather is a biologist, and my great grandfather was a botanist. My great grandfather even discovered a plant on Cheat Mountain that was thought to have been extinct in West Virginia. When I travel around the state with my parents, I like to watch for wildflowers, listen to birds and smell the fresh air. The sounds of the rivers are very relaxing. I have visited many places with my parents in West Virginia, but still have a lot of other places I would like to visit.
Our forest and public lands were something that allowed my family to still go outside and explore during the pandemic. For us, most of that was in the Monongahela National Forest, where I visited the Virgin Timbers on Cheat Mountain for the first time. My grandma is a retired history teacher, and she told us that over 100 years ago most of West Virginia looked like those Virgin Timbers. I learned that most of our forests were clear-cut long ago, but there were many people who helped restore our forests. One of those people was my great-great grandfather, Arthur Wood, who became Superintendent of the Monongahela National forest in 1931. He set a plan in motion to plant millions of trees to rebuild the forest for future generations. Thanks to those efforts, I am lucky my generation knows the Mountain State as one covered in Endless trees and Wonderful wildflowers, and home to many Wild animals.
I love that I have a great connection to one of West Virginia’s forest treasures, the Monongahela National Forest, through family history and my love of nature! I am excited that the Capitol Christmas tree is from the forest where I love to explore, and I know my great-great grandfather would be so happy that, almost 100 years later, our beautiful Monongahela National Forest, and other state lands, have been kept Endlessly Wild and Wonderful!
jodi Uncategorized Endlessly Wild and Wonderful, Monongahela National Forest, saawanooki, The Shawnee Tribe, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, US Forest Service, USDA Forest Service
Monongahela National Forest announced today that the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has been named “wa’feem’tekwi” by the Shawnee Tribe. The name means “bright tree” in the Shawnee language and is pronounced phonetically “wa thame tech we”.
“We are grateful for the strong relationship the Eastern Region of the Forest Service has with the Shawnee Tribe,” said Regional Forester Gina Owens. “And we deeply appreciate the name they have bestowed on the tree that will be harvested from Monongahela National Forest this holiday season.”
The tribe has also contributed handmade ornaments and messaging for the educational exhibit that will tour with the tree in November. After the holidays, the Shawnee Tribe will use wood from the tree at their ceremonial grounds in White Oak, Oklahoma.
The Forest Service invited the Shawnee Tribe to name the tree as part of the ongoing celebration of the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree initiative and to honor the agency’s unique nation-to-nation relationship with the Shawnee Tribe.
“On behalf of Monongahela National Forest, I’d like to thank the Shawnee Tribe for naming this special tree. Names are important and “wa’feem’tekwi” reminds us of our connection to the Shawnee Tribe and the importance of our mutual relationship,” said Shawn Cochran, forest supervisor for Monongahela National Forest. “This is the third time Monongahela National Forest has provided the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree from West Virginia.”
About the Shawnee Language Immersion Program
In 2020, almost immediately following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Shawnee Tribe leadership declared a state of emergency for the Shawnee Language, and the Decade of Shawnee began. The Shawnee Language Immersion Program (SLIP) initially started with in-person classes in three Oklahoma communities but moved to virtual classes due to the dangers posed by the pandemic. SLIP is now able to reach all Shawnees across the continent and even the globe!
First language Shawnee speaker George Blanchard helps the language department by creating a curriculum true to Shawnee culture. SLIP focuses on auditory learning and prioritizes speaking Shawnee over reading and writing. The team has also developed an online dictionary and archive through the Indigenous Languages Digital Archive and continues adding words as the program grows. SLIP’s goal is for all Shawnees to have access to language resources to ensure Shawnee can be used in daily life again.
Learn more about the Shawnee Tribe and the Shawnee Language Immersion Program at https://www.shawnee-nsn.gov/. A spokesperson for the Shawnee Tribe is available for media inquiries at media@shawnee-tribe.com.
About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Since 1970, the Forest Service has been providing a tree harvested from a national forest to serve as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This year, the selected tree is a 63-foot Norway spruce located on the Greenbrier Ranger District in Randolph County, home to the Supervisor’s Office for Monongahela National Forest. This annual project is made possible with support from partners, including non-profit Choose Outdoors, along with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, as well as volunteers locally and across America. We invite you to follow the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative at https://www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.
jodi Uncategorized 84 Lumber, Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, US Forest Service, USDA Forest Service
Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. Monongahela National Forest, in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors and presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, will bring this special gift from West Virginia to Washington, D.C., with a series of events in communities along the way.
Between Nov. 4-17, local communities will welcome the 63-foot Norway spruce at parks, plazas, schools, memorials, main streets, and more. Well-wishers can see the wrapped-up tree on its extra-long trailer, sign the banners attached to each side, learn about Monongahela National Forest, purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise, and enjoy the holiday spirit in their communities.
“We are grateful to the communities of West Virginia for hosting these special events,” said Shawn Cochran, forest supervisor for Monongahela National Forest, “and the many sponsors that make this tour possible. Our staff looks forward to sharing the holiday excitement and fun with people of all ages on the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree tour.”
The tour will kick off Saturday, November 4, with a special celebration in Elkins, home to the headquarters of Monongahela National Forest. Hosted in partnership with the Elkins-Randolph Chamber of Commerce and Elkins Mainstreet, the city will become “Elfkins,” with annual holiday lights and festivities planned at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, including an appearance by Mark Bowe, host of Magnolia Network’s Barnwood Builders, at the AHF Products® booth.
The schedule of tour events includes:
Festivities are free and open to the public for all to enjoy. Tour dates and locations are subject to change at any time. Monitor www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/calendar for updates. Beginning November 4, the tree’s journey can be tracked online at capitoltreetracker.com, hosted by Spireon, a Solera solution.
In addition to presenting sponsor 84 Lumber, partners supporting the 2023 journey include Kenworth Truck Company, Werner Enterprises, Hale Truck and Trailer, Spireon, a Solera solution, WCHS ABC 8/FOX 11, Verizon Frontline, Society of American Foresters, All Crane & Equipment Rental, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Truckload Carriers Association, AHF Products, Bruce®, Armstrong Flooring™ and Robbins® flooring brands, Great West Casualty Company, Warwood Tool, LexisNexis VitalChek Network, Inc. and others.
The top priority is the safety of tour staff, event attendees, and the tree; local public health guidelines will be followed. We ask the public to be aware of the large truck’s substantial blind spots, wide turns, and longer stopping distances on our roads as they welcome the tree to their communities.
Follow the journey of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and be a part of the festivities at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com, @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram, or the Monongahela National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf and https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF.
jodi Uncategorized Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, US Forest Service, USDA Forest Service
ELKINS, W.Va., July 24, 2023 — The staff of Monongahela National Forest is excited to announce that a 63-foot Norway spruce from the Greenbrier Ranger District has been selected to serve as the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree this holiday season.
The tree was selected by Jim Kaufmann, Director of the Capitol Grounds for the Architect of the Capitol, and is one of eight candidate trees that he personally visited on the Forest recently.
“Selecting a tree to adorn the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol comes with very specific requirements,” said Jim Kaufmann, Director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum at the Architect of the Capitol. “Thanks to the pre-planning of Monongahela National Forest staff, we were able to select a very traditional and graceful Norway spruce to represent Monongahela National Forest and wild and wonderful West Virginia at the U.S. Capitol during the holidays this winter.”
The People’s Tree will be harvested from the Greenbrier Ranger District, which was home to the very first Christmas tree provided from the Forest Service to the U.S. Capitol in 1970, also a Norway spruce. A red spruce was provided from the Gauley Ranger District in 1976.
“It’s a great honor for our district to once again provide the People’s Tree,” said Jack Tribble, district ranger for the Greenbrier Ranger District. “Our staff is excited to be a part of the project, including the harvest and packaging of the tree, to ensure it has a safe trip to Washington, D.C., this fall.”
The tree will be harvested in early November before making its journey through communities in West Virginia before heading to Washington, D.C., arriving at the U.S. Capitol in late November. The precise location of the tree is confidential until the harvest in early November.
The Architect of the Capitol’s team will decorate the tree with thousands of handcrafted ornaments from the people of West Virginia. The tree will be lit sometime after Thanksgiving during a ceremony with the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, part of a long-held tradition.
Non-profit project partner Choose Outdoors, along with presenting sponsor 84 Lumber and a host of partners, sponsors, and volunteers, are contributing funding and in-kind support of this project and its theme, Endlessly Wild and Wonderful.
“We are grateful for our shared partnerships and engaged community partners and look forward to representing them on a national stage in D.C. with this locally grown Norway spruce, which will make the perfect U.S. Capitol Christmas tree,” said Shawn Cochran, forest supervisor for Monongahela National Forest.
Norway spruce are an introduced species in West Virginia and have become naturalized across the state. These trees are often raised and sold on Christmas tree farms.
The Forest Service first undertook large scale forest reforestation projects in Monongahela National Forest starting in 1925, just five years after the Forest was established. Norway spruce were often planted, along with other non-native and native species, as they were known for their rapid growth rate. More recently, the Forest Service has worked closely with partners such as The Nature Conservancy, Green Forests Work, and the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative to restore native red spruce ecosystems across the national forest.
About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 53-year tradition in which one of America’s 154 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made possible with support from partners including non-profit Choose Outdoors along with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small as well as volunteers locally and across America. We invite you to follow the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project:
To learn more about the history of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, visit https://www.aoc.gov/what-we-do/programs-ceremonies/capitol-christmas-tree. Follow along at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.
jodi Uncategorized 84 Lumber, endlesslywildandwonderful, Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, USDA Forest Service
Eighty Four, PA (May 25, 2023) – 84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The tree will journey from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to stand proudly in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. this holiday season. This is the second year 84 Lumber has been the presenting sponsor of what affectionately is known as “The People’s Tree.”
“We are honored to be a part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative, which provides the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of the season and brings our great country together during the holidays,” said 84 Lumber Owner and CEO Maggie Hardy. “The People’s Tree” is a national treasure and 84 Lumber and our associates nationwide are proud to help bring the tree to Washington, D.C. to be enjoyed by everyone.”
“The annual journey is only possible with the help of sponsors from both the public and private sectors,” said Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors, the non-profit partner of the USDA Forest Service. “We’re grateful for the time and resources that 84 Lumber and all our invaluable partners are providing to help make this the best tour to date.”
Monongahela National Forest will provide the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on behalf of the USDA Forest Service, kicking off a year-long celebration with the theme of “Endlessly Wild & Wonderful” to connect people to West Virginia’s public lands.
Each year, a tree is selected from a different national forest. The Monongahela National Forest was the first national forest to provide “The People’s Tree” on behalf of the Forest Service in 1970, and again in 1976. 2023 will be the third time West Virginia will have the distinction.
84 Lumber will be hosting a special stopover for the tree at its newly expanded location in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Earl L Core Road in November. 84 Lumber has a total of 14 locations in West Virginia.
As part of 84 Lumber’s celebration of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree as a symbol of hope, peace, and unity, the company also will honor military service people at a special stopover at the end of the tree’s journey. Beautiful Christmas trees, fresh from local growers in West Virginia, will be presented by 84 Lumber as an early holiday gift to families at Joint Base Andrews, the final stop on the tree’s journey to Washington, D.C., where it will be unwrapped and transported to the U.S. Capitol.
The tree lighting ceremony will take place in late November, and the tree will light up the West Lawn from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening until January 1, 2024.
For related news, events, and tour information, and to track the tree on the journey to D.C., visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com. To learn more about 84 Lumber, visit www.84lumber.com.
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jodi Uncategorized 84 Lumber, Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, USDA Forest Service
Monongahela National Forest invites everyone to create an Endlessly Wild and Wonderful handmade ornament for the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Donated ornaments will adorn the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree and smaller trees that will be showcased this holiday season in Washington, D.C.
“Each year a national forest is selected to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and the residents of that state are asked to decorate it with ornaments that celebrate their state,” said Amy Albright, 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project Manager. “We need your help creating handmade ornaments that capture the diversity of people, places, plants, and animals that make West Virginia so special.”
Two types of ornaments are needed:
The deadline to receive ornaments is Sept. 1, 2023. Mail them to U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins WV 26241 or drop them off at any Monongahela National Forest office (look up locations here).
Surplus crafting, sewing, and clean recyclable materials that can be used to make ornaments are also needed and will be used at schools, youth groups, senior centers, and events all around the state. Drop off your surplus materials at any Monongahela National Forest office.
Participants are asked to use natural, recyclable, and repurposed materials to create these ornaments. Sharp materials that would pose a danger to people decorating the trees or could cut or nick tree lighting wires should not be used. Ornaments may not include commercial logos or be divisive or offensive. Ornaments cannot be returned. For more information about ornament sizes, requirements, and examples, click here.
Contact Julie Fosbender via email or call (304) 635-4446 for additional information about creating U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree ornaments and how your group or community can get involved.
Monongahela National Forest has partnered with the nonprofit organization Choose Outdoors to assist in the creation of a year-long conservation education campaign about the multi-use mission of the Forest Service and the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The initiative is made possible with support from the presenting sponsor, 84 Lumber, and with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, along with vital support from volunteers locally and across America.
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jodi Uncategorized Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, US Capitol Christmas Tree, US Forest Service, USDA Forest Service
Monongahela National Forest is honored to provide the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on behalf of the USDA Forest Service, kicking off a year-long celebration with the theme of “Endlessly Wild & Wonderful” to connect people to West Virginia’s public lands.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree – known as “The People’s Tree” reflecting the nickname for the U.S. House of Representatives, the People’s House – adorns the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and is selected each year from a different national forest.
“It’s an honor to have a tree from our backyard selected as the official 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree,” West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said. “This shines a positive light on West Virginia and I am thrilled in every way. I also want to acknowledge the Monongahela National Forest officials for their care of the forest. Without them, this would not have been possible. Congratulations to all involved.”
The Monongahela National Forest was the first national forest to provide the People’s Tree on behalf of the Forest Service in 1970, and again in 1976. 2023 will be the third time West Virginia will have the distinction.
“The Capitol Christmas Tree is a wonderful, historic tradition that brings our great country together during the holidays, and I am thrilled that the 2023 tree will be from West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest,” said Senator Joe Manchin, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “The 2023 Capitol Christmas Tree will represent the wild and wonderful nature of the Mountain State – including our remarkable forestry and wildlife – for the first time since 1976. I’m grateful to the Forest Service for their hard work and partnership on this event, and I look forward to celebrating this honor with my fellow West Virginians and Americans.”
Monongahela National Forest has partnered with the non-profit Choose Outdoors to assist in the creation of a year-long conservation education campaign about the multi-use mission of the Forest Service in support of a multi-stop tour in November that will take the selected tree around West Virginia and surrounding states before delivering it to the Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The initiative is made possible with support from the presenting sponsor, 84 Lumber, and with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, along with vital support from volunteers locally and across America.
“The annual journey is only possible with the help of strong partnerships throughout West Virginia and beyond state lines,” said Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors. “We’re proud to welcome 84 Lumber back as presenting sponsor for the second year. We look forward to bringing people together to celebrate our public lands, our diversity, and the joy of the holiday season.”
“It’s wonderful to have this opportunity to celebrate the diverse and complex natural ecosystems and cultural heritage that thrive here in central Appalachia. Monongahela National Forest and West Virginia really are endlessly wild and wonderful, and we are excited to share these special places over the next year on a national level, reaching both residents and folks who may have never experienced our home among the hills.” said Shawn Cochran, Forest Supervisor.
Follow the journey of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and be a part of the festivities at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com, @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram, or the Monongahela National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf and https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF.
For more information: