Tree Planting at Kenilworth

In honor of Earth Day, the Obamas, Bidens, and Bill Clinton visited Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, D.C., to plant trees.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden planted trees with the Student Conservation Association in a muddy marsh beside the Anacostia River at Kenilworth....

The SCA leader, Amtchat Edwards, said they were planting trees to protect the river and, by extension, the entire watershed as a service project.

Clinton had a fundraiser to get to, but ended up staying to plant two trees, saying that service is important to him. "That's why I got into politics," he said.

The First Lady picked out the biggest tree to plant. "Look how big our tree is, honey," she called out. President Obama chose to plant a smaller tree with purple flowers.

There is a bit more on the event at the Post.

Kenilworth is one of my favorite birding spots in D.C. (perhaps second to the Arboretum), so I am pleased to see it getting some positive attention. The gardens tend to receive the most visitors in midsummer, the peak blooming season for its many waterlilies and lotuses. Founder's Day in July tends to be especially crowded. Now is actually an excellent time to visit, as crowds will be smaller and spring bird migration is underway. Plenty of shorebirds and herons ought to be passing through right about now, and at least some waterlilies will be blooming.

White House Photo by Pete Souza