November 5, 2009
Help keep the UW green — plant a tree on campus on Nov. 19
Want to help keep the UW a green campus? Then volunteer to help plant 50 of the new trees the University is receiving, thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with Toyota. The tree planting event will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. Volunteers should gather on Parrington Lawn, south of the law school.
Last summer the Arbor Day Foundation named the University a “Tree Campus USA,” making it eligible for the grant. The designation is based on several criteria, such as having a campus tree plan and an Arbor Day program (see our story here). Campus Arborist Sara Shores and Campus Landscape Architect Kristine Kenney were instrumental in securing the grant.
The grant is making it possible to buy more than 150 trees altogether. Three areas will benefit from the trees being planted, according to Jon Hooper, facilities manager for Facilities Services:
- Along the campus perimeter on the 15th street side of the Burke Museum, northwest natives will be planted. “These native trees are a symbol of the northwest landscape, and the maturation of this new planting will represent our heritage as well as our future,” Hooper said.
- A collection of trees planted in the Parrington Lawn will help replace the elms that were removed in August because they were infected with Dutch Elm disease. The new trees will ensure that this grove of trees will continue to be sustainable for future generations on campus.
- In the area bordered by Lake Washington, Union Bay and Lake Union. “Trees in these locations will greatly contribute to our goal of using northwest natives to help filter and reduce storm runoff into waterways,” Hooper said.
This event is part of a nationwide Campus Tree Tour 2009 campaign, during which campuses throughout the country (Cornell University, University of Maryland, Tulane University and Duke University) will host tree planting events directed by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota. According to the foundation, the national campaign is designed to demonstrate the numerous educational and environmental benefits that trees provide to college campuses as well as the environment.
At the UW, volunteers will be assisting with digging the hole, planting the tree and backfilling the dirt, as well as staking the tree. After a registration period during which assignments will be made, there will be a short ceremony and presentation followed by the volunteers being directed to their planting stations. Grounds Maintenance staff will be on hand to provide the necessary tools and planting instructions. Refreshments, hats, t-shirts and gloves will be provided to all the volunteers.
For additional information on being a volunteer contact the Grounds Department at 206-685-1402.
