Ohio Arbor Day 1913: Arbor and Bird Day Manual Issued for the Benefit of the Schools of our State

This guide captures a moment when Ohio’s schools were mobilized to celebrate the natural world. Issued by the state’s education department in the spring of 1913, it reflects a formal proclamation that set aside a whole day for students to learn about forests and the birds that depend on them. The tone is earnest, urging both classrooms and homes to join the effort.

Inside, teachers will find clear instructions for two‑hour lessons that blend science, citizenship and hands‑on activity. The manual explains the economic and sentimental reasons for protecting trees, outlines state laws safeguarding a long list of songbirds, and suggests simple projects such as tree planting and reading legal excerpts aloud. It also offers vivid descriptions of common species, making the material lively for young learners.

For listeners interested in the early conservation movement, this document provides a window into how education and law were used together to nurture respect for nature. It’s a concise, historically rich snapshot of community‑wide environmental stewardship.