Kent State University is proud of the numerous trees that decorate its campus, its LEED-certified buildings and other sustainability efforts. Arbor Day is another opportunity for the university to celebrate its roots in sustainability.
Starting at 11 a.m. on April 26, Kent State will hold several events across campus in celebration of Arbor Day that commemorate its environmentally friendly efforts.
Kicking off events in front of Engleman Hall, Melanie Knowles, Kent State’s sustainability manager, will discuss results of this year’s RecycleMania, an eight-week-long competition for college recycling initiatives to promote waste reduction activities to campus communities. The residents of Engleman Hall won this year’s Kent Campus RecycleMania competition.
Following a discussion on RecycleMania, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry Regional Forester Alan Siewert will deliver remarks and award this year’s Tree Campus USA plaque to Mark Polatajko, Kent State’s senior vice president for finance and administration.
Following the recognition, the Arbor Day tree planting will commence at Engleman Hall, which serves as part of the award for the RecycleMania winner. The day’s events will conclude with students from the hall planting a tree.
Kent State has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA school by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 10th consecutive year for its commitment to promoting and maintaining a green campus and community through the many trees that fill its campus. Kent State is the only school in Ohio that has been awarded the Tree Campus USA designation every year since the program’s inception.
The Arbor Day Foundation is highlighting several schools this year, and because Kent State is one of the original schools to certify as a Tree Campus USA, the Arbor Day Foundation will be on campus for a Facebook Live event.
“I think Arbor Day is important to show Kent State’s ongoing commitment to tree care and green infrastructure on campus,” says Heather White, grounds manager for Kent State. “It’s fun, casual and just reaffirms that trees are an important part of our landscape and campus environment.”
For more information about the Kent State grounds department, including the Tree Planting Partnership, visit www.kent.edu/ufm/grounds.
For more information about Kent State’s Earth Month events, visit www.kent.edu/sustainability/earth-month.
WRITTEN BY: LAUREN GARCZYNSKI