Maple Syrup Saturday is celebrated every third Saturday of March and this year it will be observed on March 18. It is an annual event organized by the Bubolz Nature Preserve that encourages people to take their sap buckets, tap their own maple tree, and collect sap. After registration, a naturalist accompanies the family and provides them with the guidance to tap their maple tree. It is a fun day full of activities that support environmental education and gives some interesting facts like for example — do you know that it has been 160 years since the first metal maple syrup sap spout was invented?
History of Maple Syrup Saturday
There are many legends and tales surrounding the first-ever time maple syrup was used for food. Some stories say that a woman from a South American Indian tribe had used maple syrup accidentally while preparing food. There are also stories of a woman who used maple syrup for cooking meat.Throughout the years of history, there were many advancements in the way sap was collected. For example, in the early days, logs were carved out for collecting sap from the maple tree. After a few decades, wooden buckets were invented, which were more convenient to use. Then came the metal buckets, which were useful because the boiling process could be done in the same bucket.The Bubolz Nature Preserve was established in 1971. The Natural Areas Preservation as it was known back then was a nature reserve founded by a group of like-minded people who wanted to protect natural habitats by allocating green spaces that couldn’t be adulterated by development and pollution. The team was led by Gordon Bubolz. To celebrate the work he did for the development of the reserve, the name was changed to Bubolz Nature Reserve. The reserve invites people to experience living in the woods, away from the city and provides rentals and guided tours. One of its initiatives is Maple Syrup Saturday which was created to encourage families to tap their maple tree and turn sap into maple syrup. Every year families register themselves with the reserve and learn the basics of tapping maple sap.
Maple Syrup Saturday timeline
This is the first documented time when maple syrup is accidentally used while making food.
The first metal sap spout is made in the U.S. and makes tapping maple sap that much easier.
The Bubolz Nature reserve is founded by a team of naturalists, led by Gordon Bubolz.
The Bubolz reserve invites people to celebrate Maple Syrup Saturday and to learn sap tapping.
Maple Syrup Saturday FAQs
What is a good price for maple syrup?
The price of the maple syrup depends on the grade or the quality. In 2019, the average price of maple syrup in the U.S. was $31.
Where are maple trees found?
Maple trees are found in Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North America. There are about 125 species of maple trees.
What does maple mean in Japanese?
In Japanese, maple trees are known as ‘Kaede,’ which means ‘frog’s hands.’ They are also known as ‘Momiji,’ which means ‘crimson leaves’ or ‘baby’s hands.’
Maple Syrup Saturday Activities
-
Register for sap tapping
Register yourself with Bubolz Nature Reserve and get your own collecting bucket. Go on and collect sap from your maple tree and then turn the sap into maple syrup.
-
Share it on social media
Let everyone know the importance of this day. Take pictures of you and your family celebrating Maple Syrup Saturday by collecting sap buckets and visiting nature reserves.
-
Learn more about the environment
Use this day to expand your knowledge of environmental practices. Learning to tap sap from the tree and turn it into maple syrup is a great skill to have. It is something that inspires the younger generation to do something for the environment.
5 Intriguing Facts About Maple Trees
-
They come in different sizes
Some maple trees grow up to a few feet only while some grow up to 150 feet.
-
They produce helicopter seeds
The seeds produced by the maple fruit are winged and are known as helicopter seeds.
-
They have a long lifespan
Some maple trees can live up to 300 years.
-
They are used to make whiskey
Charcoal from the maple tree is used in the process of making Tennessee whiskey.
-
They’ve been here for a long time
Maple trees are one of the first trees that existed, with fossils dating back to 100 million years ago.
Why We Love Maple Syrup Saturday
-
We get to learn a new skill
This day gives us a chance to learn a new skill. We learn how to tap sap from a maple tree and use it to turn it into maple syrup.
-
We spend time with family
This day provides us with an opportunity to engage in fun activities with our loved ones. Going out on hikes and performing activities together brings families closer.
-
It is a day of learning
This day is also educational. It draws our attention to the environment we live in and the steps we must take to protect it. It motivates children to be a part of the campaign that aims to save the environment.
Maple Syrup Saturday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | March 19 | Saturday |
| 2023 | March 18 | Saturday |
| 2024 | March 16 | Saturday |
| 2025 | March 15 | Saturday |
| 2026 | March 21 | Saturday |
