NAMA Notebook: Cherry Blossoms

Washington Monument surrounded by cherry blossoms at sunrise.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

March at National Mall and Memorial Parks means springtime and cherry blossoms! This time of year reminds us that the Mall is not only a place that commemorates the nation’s history, but is also home to significant natural resources. Although the Japanese cherry blossom trees are a non-native species, they have become an important park resource.

Non-native species are plants and animals living in areas where they don't naturally exist. Often they were intentionally introduced by humans. Ornamental plants like the cherry trees, which don't cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health, are an example of non-native species that are not invasive. Find out more about what makes a species invasive in the video "What Are Invasive Species?

NPS/Ms. Zoller's fourth grade art students, Arlington (Virginia) Public Schools

The cherry trees may not cause harm to the park ecosystem, but people can cause harm to the trees. Large crowds of visitors come to the Mall every year when the cherry blossoms are at peak bloom. Park staff encourage visitors to be Cherry Blossom Protectors and help us take care of these special trees.

The Education Team asked Ms. Zoller's fourth grade art students at Arlington Public Schools in Virginia to help us inspire visitors to become Cherry Blossom Protectors with art. We asked the students to showcase the beauty of the cherry trees or the Tidal Basin area with their art work.

The fourth graders were also encouraged to include messages that promoted stewardship and conservation. We asked them to consider including Leave No Trace principles. When visiting the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, here are some ways that the Leave No Trace principles can be followed:

• Leave blossoms, plants or other natural objects where you find them
• Please don't feed wildlife
• Dispose of trash properly
• Stay on sidewalks to avoid walking on tree roots.

During the Cherry Blossom Festival in 2023, visitors will receive Cherry Blossom Protector buttons with one of three chosen designs.
Click through the gallery below to view all of the amazing artwork.

Cherry Blossom Festival in the Classroom

The Cherry Blossom season is a beautiful, but busy time of year on the National Mall. Even if you can’t visit in person, we hope you’ll take a moment to learn a little more about these natural resources and share with your students.

• Want to have your students help spread the Cherry Blossom Protector message? Learn about the blossoms using resources listed below and have your students create their own Cherry Blossom Protector artwork! Email us and share your work with the rangers . We would be glad to visit your class virtually if students want to share their creations with us!
• Use the resources on the National Mall’s Cherry Blossom Festival webpage to engage students with this celebration of springtime in Washington, D.C.
• Take a virtual cherry blossom field trip with your students. Reach out to the rangers at the National Mall (Email) or watch this recorded version: READY, SET, BLOOM: CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
• Check out the Humans, Wildlife, and Cherry Trees program online. Here you’ll find information and activities about cherry trees, the parts of the plant, pollination, wildlife, and climate change.
• Do your students like to solve puzzles? Then have them work to solve the Mystery of the Broken Branch! Follow the clues and help the ranger solve the mystery. Have fun along the way learning about the National Mall and these special trees. You can become a virtual Bloomin’ Junior Ranger too!