ELKINS — Monongahela National Forest officials recently unveiled the new logo design for the 2023 United States Capitol Christmas Tree Project.

Back in January of this year, Mon Forest was selected to provide the official Christmas Tree that will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the upcoming holiday season.

Amy Alrbright, Project Manager for the Christmas Tree, announced the new logo design last week.

“All of us at Monongahela National Forest are so excited to share the logo which was specifically designed with the landscape of West Virginia in mind,” said Albright. “We are proud of the Mountain State, and we worked to ensure that the logo reflects that.”

The design features a traditional brown Monongahela National Forest sign that is sitting next to a decorated Christmas Tree. A cardinal and rhododendron are also featured, as is a mountainous landscape in the background.

This will mark the third time that a West Virginia tree has been chosen for the display. The first was in 1970 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service provided a tree to the Capitol. The second tree, a 41-foot Red Spruce, was provided in 1976.

“We see this project as an opportunity to celebrate the state of West Virginia and share the mission and values of the Forest Service,” said Forest Supervisor Shawn Cochran. “Our project goals include engaging with children, communities, and non-profit organizations, and strengthening existing relationships with stakeholders including tribal, state, and local governments.”

This year’s theme, “Endlessly Wild and Wonderful,” will feature a tour of West Virginia and surrounding states this November after the tree is harvested. The Mon Forest and Choose Outdoors are partnering on the year-long conservation campaign.

As part of the campaign, the public will be able to join in on the fun through virtual and in-person events throughout the year, including making ornaments to adorn the tree. Staff will also provide outreach programs to schools and youth organizations across the state.

The first-ever Christmas Tree was put up on the Capitol Lawn in 1964. Each year since, the tree has been decorated and a tree-lighting ceremony has been held. The biggest tree to date was an 88-foot Engelmann Spruce from the Colville National Forest in Washington that was selected in 2013. Last year’s tree was a 78-foot Red Spruce that came from the North Carolina National Forest.

Monongahela National Forest was established in 1920 and includes more than 920,000 acres of federal land in 10 West Virginia counties. It’s a working forest managed for multiple uses including outdoor recreation, range, timber, water, fish and wildlife, and wilderness.

To be a part of this year’s festivities and to follow the journey of the tree, go online to uscapitolchristmastree.com.