(12/19/25) BATON ROUGE, La. — Arbor Day itself has gone on much longer than 15 years, but the event at Burden started then.

The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden in Baton Rouge will welcome guests Jan. 17 for its 15th annual Arbor Day at Burden celebration. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the LSU AgCenter, in partnership with Baton Rouge Green, will continue its annual tree giveaway. One tree will be given per household while supplies last.

In addition to taking home a tree, visitors can plant a tree, track its growth with GPS coordinates and contribute to reforesting native trees lost to hurricanes and drought. Visitors will enjoy a family-friendly day with activities like a scavenger hunt, educational exhibits on native trees and a visit from Smokey Bear. There also will be a scavenger hunt, tree climbing, StoryTime in the Garden, ax throwing and more.

Food trucks will be at the gardens with food and drinks throughout the day.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Malorey Uzee, communications coordinator, at muzee@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Children enjoy tree climbing, one of the many hands‑on activities offered during the LSU AgCenter’s Arbor Day at Burden event. LSU AgCenter file photo

Families plant trees during Arbor Day at Burden, creating lasting memories while tracking growth with GPS. LSU AgCenter file photo