A Symbol of Hope

Trees are distributed annually at the Alaska Run for Women

EACH YEAR, thousands of pinkclad runners take their places at the starting line at the University of Alaska Anchorage. They run to celebrate their victories, honor lost loved ones, and raise money for breast cancer research.

It’s a 30-year-old tradition, and four years ago, free trees became a part of it.

Tens of thousands of trees have succumbed to spruce beetle infestation in Southcentral Alaska over the past seven years. This loss is felt deeply — both environmentally and emotionally.

With funding from the Arbor Day Foundation, Anchorage Parks and

Recreation has teamed up with Alaska Run for Women to distribute 100 trees each year at the event. Participants can stop by a booth at the end of their run to pick up a spruce to plant in their yards.

Annie DuBois, natural resources specialist with Anchorage Parks and Recreation, said some who stop to get trees are mothers and daughters, making it a touching multi-generational experience. “It’s really sweet to see the younger generation excited about this tree that they’re going to watch grow.”

These people are planting more than a tree. They are planting a beautiful sign of life and hope.