ASHEVILLE, NC (February 3, 2022) – You probably took down your Christmas tree but don’t lose your Christmas spirit just yet. The National Forests in North Carolina has been selected to provide the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and with the theme of “From the Mountains to the Sea” is kicking off a year-long celebration to connect people to North Carolina’s public lands.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree—also 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. This is the third time the National Forests in North Carolina will provide the tree, having previously provided the tree in 1998 and 1974.
“We know the best Christmas trees grow in North Carolina, and we're grateful to be home to four national forests that showcase our state’s natural beauty,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “Having the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree selected from our state is an honor and emphasizes our responsibility to maintain and protect our public lands so future generations can enjoy all that our state has to offer.”
“North Carolina’s natural beauty is second-to-none, and its Christmas tree farms draw families from around the region each year,” said Senator Burr. “It is an honor that North Carolina was once again selected to provide this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. I am pleased that the beauty of our state’s National Forest will be displayed for all who visit the U.S. Capitol next holiday season.”
The National Forests in North Carolina has partnered with the non-profit Choose Outdoors to implement the year-long celebration which includes a conservation education campaign and a journey that takes the tree from North Carolina to Washington, DC. The initiative is made possible with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small as well as volunteers locally and across America, who provide vital support of time and resources.
“The annual journey is only possible with the help of strong partnerships throughout North Carolina and beyond state lines,” said Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors. “We’re looking forward to bringing people together to celebrate our public lands and the joy of the holiday season.”
“Our theme of ‘From the Mountains to the Sea’ represents the incredible diversity of North Carolina’s natural and cultural heritage," said James Melonas, Forest Supervisor of the National Forests in North Carolina. “Our history is just as diverse and deeply rooted—we are the birthplace of scientific forestry in America, the home of the first tract of land purchased to create the National Forests in the eastern U.S., and within one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.”
The National Forests in North Carolina are comprised of four forests, the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie, and Croatan. With approximately 6.5 million visitors a year, these are among the most visited national forests in the country.
Every year since 1970, the USDA Forest Service has provided the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The 2022 holiday season will kick off with the lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol following the Thanksgiving holiday.
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