Roseburg supports Myrtle Creek Library’s iconic Moon Tree planting
The Myrtle Creek Library announced the arrival of a Moon Tree from the Artemis I mission, which was planted near the library as a part of a collaboration between the Friends of Myrtle Creek Library, the U.S. Forest Service, and NASA.
A special ceremonial planting took place on Saturday, June 22, 2024, with over 50 community members in attendance. Roseburg provided a $1,000 donation that enabled the library to create the plaque on the Moon Tree and support the construction of the fence that safeguards the natural wonder. The event received local media coverage and included a fun Rocket Launch Activity.
The Artemis I Moon Trees, rooted in the legacy of the original Moon Trees flown by NASA astronaut Stuart Roosa during the Apollo 14 mission, journeyed thousands of miles from Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft. A diverse array of tree species seedlings were flown around the surface of the Moon into lunar orbit in 2022, spending about four weeks in space before returning to Earth.
The first batch of these “new generation” Moon Tree seedlings shipped to almost 50 institutions across 48 contiguous U.S. states, and Myrtle Creek was one of these institutions, receiving a baby sweetgum tree.
“This sweetgum tree, having traveled around the Moon, symbolizes the unity of space exploration and environmental conservation,” Friends of Myrtle Creek Library (FOMCL) said in a media release.
FOMCL shared their gratitude for Roseburg’s contribution and for our commitment to environmental stewardship, and shared a plaque of recognition for our involvement in this project that will hang in the lobby of our Western Regional Office in Dillard.
We are honored to help support the preservation of this meaningful science history artifact in our community for future generations to learn from, to be inspired by, and to enjoy!
Learn more about the NASA STEM Artemis Moon Trees project:
- NASA learning resource: NASA STEM Artemis Moon Trees (Overview)
- NASA news release – NASA Finds New Homes for Artemis Generation of ‘Moon Trees’ Across US
