Faculty and Staff “Adopt” White Pines as Part of Arbor Day Celebration
As part of Professor Jon Rosales’ Once and Future Forest course and in partnership with the Campus Tree Committee, six white pine saplings found new homes on Arbor Day thanks to a special “Adopt-a-Tree” project. Faculty and staff members joined students in planting the trees and made a commitment to care for them, agreeing to water the trees during dry summer periods and support future adopters in years to come.
These young white pines were not just chosen; they were rescued. Transplanted from the Sand Banks area of campus, where thousands of white pines are naturally regenerating, the selected trees were unlikely to survive long-term under the dense canopy. Now, with room to grow and dedicated caretakers, they have a better chance to thrive.
This collaboration highlights a meaningful connection between classroom learning, campus sustainability efforts, and community involvement. Many thanks to the faculty and staff who stepped up to support this new tradition. Plans are already underway to expand the program in future years!