Tree Week 2023 welcomes all nature enthusiasts to celebrate the trees in the Lexington area and how they impact community lives this upcoming week, according to UK Urban Forest Initiatives.

Events will run from Oct. 6-15 and will kick off this Friday evening with the signature tree planting event from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Castlewood Park. 

“Tree Week is special, in part, because it is held annually during the perfect time of year for students to take a break from studying and help plant a tree or engage in another tree-centric activity,” Mary Arthur, Co-Lead of the Tree Week Planning Team, said in an email. 

There are over 80 tree-related events open to the public all week long to explore and learn more about the trees in the Lexington community, according to the Tree Week flyer.

With events such as guided tree walks, tree yoga and educational programs, community members will have the ability to explore different activities throughout the week.

“The goal we have for Tree Week is to invite people of all ages, interests, and abilities to engage with the nature where they live,” Arthur said in an email. “This could be in a city park, the Arboretum, one of our local nature preserves, or simply the streets and yards in our neighborhoods.”

Some events require pre-registration, according to the calendar posted on the Tree Week webpage, so those planning to attend any of the events being hosted should check ahead of time.

Most events are hands-on and in-person, though there are some select events online for community members to check out. Visit the Tree Week webpage for a full, detailed list of events.

There are also events being hosted on UK’s campus. Throughout the week, events such as UKSP Nature Inspired Performance, Propagating Native Woody Plants From Seeds, Canopy Care on Campus, Climate Conversations on Campus and The Dirt on Urban Soil are just a select few events that will be located on UK’s campus. A full list of campus activities and where they are located can be found on the Tree Week website. 

“Tree Week is a great illustration of what we can accomplish when we work together, collaboratively, to bring awareness and engagement about the environment to the forefront,” Arthur said.