JASWDC is Planting Roots

Like many others, my little DC-resident heart can’t get enough of the cherry blossom trees in this city. Not just the ones that sit along the Tidal Basin, either – the single trees growing in backyards and the ones dotting parks and avenues get me, too. I know we have other things – Smithsonians (for free!), a myriad of museums and gardens and old houses, the waterfront, tons of good restaurants, and so much more. But those trees, and the way they blossom every year, just makes me love the place I live in even more.

The Society feels the same way too, which is why we go out and plant cherry blossom trees at public places in DC and the surrounding area to spread U.S.-Japan friendship, nature, and the color pink. (All good things, in that order.) We’ve partnered with the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a few years now to plant cherry blossom trees in the following places:

• Capitol Heights Elementary School (Capitol Heights, MD) in November 2015
• Mt. Pleasant Library (Washington, D.C.) in October 2016
• Amidon Bowen Elementary School (Washington, D.C.) in May 2017

The above locations were chosen because of their relationship with our educational outreach program, Japan-in-a-Suitcase, as well as their locations. In addition to the trees (usually three), we also give the organization an illustrated book about how the cherry blossoms came to DC. Be on the lookout – we may come to a school, library, or other public place near you soon enough!

We also planted an azalea bush at the National Presbyterian School in Tenleytown for a friendship program we began in partnership with the city of Mitaka in Tokyo, Japan and the National Park Service. You can read more about it in the press release.