ELKINS, W.Va., (Hinton News) – Amy Albright, Project Manager for the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project, has announced the new logo designed especially for the project.
“All of us at Monongahela National Forest are so excited to share this logo which was specifically designed with the landscape of West Virginia in mind,” said Albright. “We are proud of the Mountain State, and we worked to ensure that the logo reflects that.”
Monongahela National Forest has provided the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree previously in 1970 and 1976. This year’s theme is “Endlessly Wild and Wonderful”.
The Forest Service has partnered with the non-profit Choose Outdoors to assist in the creation of a conservation education campaign about the multi-use mission of the Forest Service. The public will be able to join in the fun through virtual and in-person events throughout the year, including making ornaments to adorn the tree. Staff will also provide outreach programs to schools and youth organizations across the state.
“We see this project as an opportunity to celebrate the state of West Virginia and share the mission and values of the Forest Service,” said Forest Supervisor Shawn Cochran. “Our project goals include engaging with children, communities, and non-profit organizations, and strengthening existing relationships with stakeholders including tribal, state, and local governments.”
Once the tree is selected and harvested, it will be toured around communities in West Virginia and surrounding states before being delivered to the Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The initiative is made possible with support from the presenting sponsor, 84 Lumber, and with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, along with vital support from volunteers locally and across America.
Monongahela National Forest was established in 1920 and includes more than 920,000 acres of federal land in 10 West Virginia counties. It’s a working forest managed for multiple uses including outdoor recreation, range, timber, water, fish and wildlife, and wilderness.
Follow the journey of the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and be a part of the festivities at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com, @uscapitolchristmastree on Instagram, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USCapitolChristmasTree, or the Monongahela National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf and https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF.
For more information:
- Read about the history of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on the Architect of the Capitol’s website at https://www.aoc.gov/what-we-do/programs-ceremonies/capitol-christmas-tree.
- Contact Choose Outdoors President Bruce Ward at bruce@chooseoutdoors.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
- Contact 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project Manager Amy Albright at amy.albright2@usda.gov for more information about the project and to get involved.
