Nevada to host 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree; Douglas County urged to help make 10,000 handmade ornaments

Denise Baroneo, administrator for the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, told the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners on May 15 that the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has been selected to supply the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and that Nevada will serve as the host state for the campaign.

Baroneo, speaking for the U.S. Forest Service partnership, said the campaign requires about 10,000 handmade ornaments from across the state — large ornaments (10–12 inches) for the main 60–80-foot tree and smaller 3–6-inch ornaments for companion trees — with a submission deadline in mid-September. "This is such a historical event. This is the first time ever in the history of the U.S. that a tree has come from Nevada," Baroneo said.

She described a months-long selection process that will narrow candidate trees (she said there are 40–50 candidate ornamental trees for placement throughout the Capitol complex) and noted the Architect of the Capitol will make the final selection in October. The chosen tree will be carefully cut, lifted by crane onto a specially built trailer and travel on a whistle-stop tour to Washington, D.C., with appearances planned in communities along the route.

Baroneo said local participation can include ornament and tree-skirt production, school projects, quilting guild contributions and sponsorships. She said several local schools and community groups already had committed ornaments: "So far, [one school] has produced 320 ornaments... Grace Christian Academy is making 90 ornaments... Walker Basin and Nevada Outdoor School will be making about 500 ornaments," she told the board. Baroneo also said some tribal partners will provide Native American designs for companion trees and that the Carson Valley Quilting Club had been contacted to make a tree skirt.

Brian Fitzgerald, president of the Carson Valley Arts Council, said the council plans to be a resource for local production and outreach. "We want to be part of making Douglas County proud and being a heavy participant in this great opportunity," Fitzgerald said, noting school involvement and local artists and woodworkers he had recruited.

Commissioner Jeanne Gardner told Baroneo she had discussed the effort with county staff and confirmed the county manager will post a link and include information in the county's regular communications. Baroneo said ornaments must be waterproof, weatherproof and durable to minimize packing materials and repeated that the deadline for ornaments is September 15, 2025.

Baroneo described other campaign elements: public events, merchandise sales, appearances by Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl, and the traditional tree lighting in Washington, D.C., where a child from the host state helps light the tree. She said the campaign aims both to showcase Nevada landscapes and to educate the public about the Forest Service's mission.

The presentation was for information; commissioners and local partners expressed interest in local participation and agreed staff would post outreach materials and links on county channels.