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Indiana University Columbus will mark Earth Day and Arbor Day with a celebration and activities Monday that will enhance the university grounds, but the school’s efforts also will reach well beyond campus.
Students, faculty and staff plan to add a touch of natural beauty to our campus surroundings by planting a variety of flowers throughout our campus grounds.
In honor of Arbor Day, a variety of trees and flowers will be planted around campus from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday. Additionally, some 200 tree kits will be available on campus by entrance 4 during the event. Any remaining kits will be distributed at future campus and community events.
Each tree kit contains redbud and tulip tree seeds, representing the vibrant colors and resilience of our ecosystem, including for the state tree, the tulip poplar. Both the redbud and tulip trees are native to Indiana, according to Biology IUC biology professor Luke Jacobus.
IU Columbus student Kurstin Thompson, a senior majoring in biology, created the attached flyer to hand out with the kits. She explained:
The kits also contain planting cups, soil, and a flyer, along with wildflower seed paper. They also contain a flier prepared by IUC senior and biology major Kurstin Thompson.
“Each flier’s main purpose is so everyone who receives them understands why we are handing out the tree kits, what is present within the bag, and some facts and growth instructions for the different trees within the bags,” Thompson said. “The kits are presented in a red environmentally sound tote bag, and all other components within the bag are sustainable as well.”
The program continues a legacy for IU Columbus, which has been distinguished for several consecutive years with the Tree Campus High Education recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
