From left: Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett, presenter Rosemary Roosa, Senator Mark Kelly, presenter Ellie Gorney, Coconino County Supervisor Judy Begay, Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler, Lowell Executive Director Amanda Bosh, and Flagstaff Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet
Astronaut Royalty and Local Officials Gather at Lowell Observatory to Dedicate Moon Tree
On the 65th anniversary of Alan Shepard becoming the first American in space, U.S. Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly and Apollo astronaut Stuart Roosa’s daughter Rosemary headed a list of dignitaries gathered at Lowell Observatory to dedicate something small yet symbolic and meaningful: the planting of a Moon Tree.
This young American sycamore, descended from seeds that traveled around the Moon on Apollo 14, now stands on Lowell’s campus as a bridge between the past, present and future.
Dr. Amanda Bosh, Executive Director of Lowell Observatory, opened the ceremony by reminding the audience that Lowell has always been about connecting people with discovery. She spoke about the observatory’s long legacy of astronomical research and how this Moon Tree fits into that story.
The tree, she noted, is not just a symbol, but a living reminder that exploration is not only something that happens far away; it’s something that takes root right here on Earth.
Coconino County Supervisor Judy Begay followed, highlighting the region’s deep ties to astronomy, geology, and Indigenous sky traditions. She spoke of the night sky as a teacher, a guide, and a relative, something woven into stories, planting cycles, and cultural memory.
“This tree,” she said, “carries forward that same sense of connection between land, sky, and people.”
Flagstaff Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet echoed that sentiment, celebrating the city’s long role in lunar exploration, from astronaut training grounds to the mapping of the Moon’s surface. “This tree represents generations of curiosity and scientific achievement,” she said. “May it continue to inspire future explorers.”
Perhaps the most touching moment came when eight-year-old Ellie Gorney stepped up to the microphone to introduce Senator Mark Kelly. She spoke about his career as a Navy pilot, astronaut, and senator, and about the bravery he showed supporting his wife, Gabrielle Giffords, after she was injured.
“I think Mark Kelly shows that you can be smart and brave and kind all at the same time,” she said. The crowd melted.
Senator Kelly delivered a personal reflection on spaceflight, teamwork, and the power of inspiration. He spoke about the Apollo missions that shaped his childhood dreams, the awe of seeing Earth from orbit, and the importance of remembering that “we don’t have any other place to go.”
He pointed to the Moon Tree behind him—grown from a seed whose ancestor orbited the Moon with Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa—and reminded the audience that exploration is not just about where we go, but what we bring back.
“This tree is going to grow here for decades,” he said. “People will walk by it and be reminded of what is possible when we work together.”
The ceremony concluded with a moving speech from Rosemary Roosa, daughter of Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa. She shared stories of her father’s childhood on an Oklahoma chicken farm, his days as a U.S. Forest Service smokejumper, and his journey to becoming the command module pilot who carried tree seeds around the Moon.
“These Moon Trees represent the courage, the achievements, and the sacrifices of the Apollo program,” she said. “We hope you will be inspired by this tree.”
The Moon Tree now stands as a reminder of exploration, resilience, and community. It honors the past, celebrates the present, and invites future generations to look up, dream big, and stay rooted.
Presenters and members of Lowell staff pose with the Moon Tree.