By Mark Wourms
Saturday, June 4 was one for the record books! 1,416 tree huggers turned out for the Bernheim Big Tree Hug Challenge. That means we now hold the world record for the most people hugging trees at the same time in the same place.
We’re submitting the results to Guinness, who will soon make it official, but we can’t thank the community enough. People as young as 4 months to as old as 89 came out to be a part of history and show their love for trees.
In many ways it was also a celebration of our founder, Isaac W. Bernheim, who set aside this land as a gift to the people of Kentucky in 1929. We hope we made him proud.
But let’s make sure the hug is just the beginning of what we do for trees. Whether it’s protecting large forest blocks like Bernheim or planting trees at your place of business or in your own backyard, everyone can play a part in protecting trees.
Our thanks to all who made the Bernheim Big Tree Hug Challenge possible. From our shuttle bus drivers to our volunteer naturalists, so many people made the day a success. Even Mother Nature helped us out leaving us rain free until almost 6 p.m.
A special thanks to our sponsors – LG&E-KU, Bullitt County Tourism and Louisville Water Company.
Media partners WHAS 11 and Louisville Public Media also supported the event and helped increase participation.
Bernheim’s Big Tree Hug Challenge was held in conjunction with the traveling exhibit, Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat which will be on display at Bernheim through July 5.
The Morton Arboretum produced the exhibit which shines a spotlight on the plight of trees today and how many species are threatened with extinction, much like the animals whose habitats they provide.