Capitol Christmas Tree

Adventure Activism, Capitol Christmas Tree / 24.12.2015

On this Christmas Eve I am reminded of the magnificent tree we delivered to the U.S. Captiol in Washington D.C. Over the past several weeks I've reported on the long journey of the People's Tree from the Chugach National Forest of Alaska that the Kenaitze First Nation Tribe called Ch'wala ka'a. When this 74-foot Lutz Spruce was dedicated on December 2, 2015 tribal members gathered in the halls of Congress to share songs and stories of their heritage that reflect a deep and profound relationship with the natural world....

Capitol Christmas Tree / 07.12.2015

Much even to my own surprise I spent the morning of Black Friday in a shopping mall. I had every intention of joining my friends at REI in “opting out” of the day after Thanksgiving spending frenzy, but there were a few critical items that I needed for my next Joy Trip. I reconciled my apparent lack of solidarity with the movement to spend more time in natural world with a purchase I made in the sincere hope of saving it. I found what I was looking for in...

Capitol Christmas Tree, Charitable Giving, On Assignment / 23.11.2015

The first significant snowfall of the year was apparent as my plane touched down on the tarmac of O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Once again I had dodged the weather. Having fallen the day before I was happy to see the ice and snow melting in the sunshine of a clear afternoon that would not delay my return flight home to Madison, Wisconsin. After almost four weeks on the road and more than 6,000 miles of travel this was just one of the many wonderful things in my...

Capitol Christmas Tree, Charitable Giving, On Assignment / 18.11.2015

Chillicothe Ohio, population 21,899, likely drew the most inspiring crowd we’ve seen so far. The Capitol Christmas Tree cruised to stop in front of Mount Logan Elementary School. To the sheer delight of several hundred children the massive semi-truck arrived driven by a man in a bright red coat that bore an uncanny resemblance to Santa Claus. The moment John Schank, 2014 Alaska Truck Driver of the Year, descended the steps of his customized Kenworth big-rig the kids swarmed around to get their pictures taken with him and...

Capitol Christmas Tree, National Forests, On Assignment, Special Events, Video / 02.11.2015

Sharon Isaak (right) is an elder in the First Nation Kenaitze tribe of Alaska. She and her family were among the many who created original ornaments for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. With great enthusiasm and excitement she made a special trip to Seward Alaska to witness the harvest and preparation of the People's Tree for its long journey to Washington D.C. "With all that goes on in the world," she said "it's just fun to see everyone smiling over a tree." Kenaitze Elder Smiles Over Captiol Christmas Tree...

Capitol Christmas Tree, National Forests, On Assignment / 29.10.2015

On October 27, 2015 the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree​ was harvested in the Chugach National Forest​ near the town of Seward, Alaska​. This spectacular Lutz Spruce will stand on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. as a timely symbol of peace and unity for the American People. The meticulous process of carefully selecting, cutting and transporting the People's Tree on a journey of more than 3,000 miles over land and sea represents the hard work and dedication of hundreds of men and women across...