U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, has announced her third annual Bigleaf Maple Big Leaf Showcase to encourage residents of Washington’s Third Congressional District to seek out the biggest Bigleaf Maple leaf they can find.
Last year’s winning leaf was 18.5 inches, found in Curtis by Maynard Mallonee.
“In times of chaos, rooting ourselves in what is worth having at the end of the day — a deep relationship to the natural world, time outside and economic agency — can feel small, but it’s important. It’s easy to take for granted these beautiful trees around us, but Bigleaf Maples are relatively rare and deserve attention and celebration, not just for their own merit but because it changes who we are as a culture,” Gluesenkamp Perez stated in a news release. “So go outside, get to know the woods around you, and have fun!”
Bigleaf Maple trees are found all over the Pacific Northwest, and the showcase spurs folks to get outside, enjoy the forest and learn about the challenges facing the Bigleaf Maple, the news release stated.
The biggest leaf will be displayed for visitors to see in the congresswoman’s office and showcased online.
Constituents can learn how to enter at tinyurl.com/3dsnec25, and they should submit an image of their leaf by Nov. 14 while preserving the original.
