91�鶹�� celebrates Arbor Day with tree planting on Drill Field

A group of more than 30 people gather around a newly planted tree on 91�鶹��'s Drill Field. — 91�鶹�� President Mark E. Keenum joined College of Forest Resources students, faculty and administrators, as well as campus landscape personnel, in celebrating Arbor Day on Feb. 12 with a campus tree planting on the Drill Field. In recognition of the university’s commitment to the value and maintenance of trees, 91�鶹�� has been designated a Tree Campus USA for seven consecutive years by the Arbor Day Foundation. (Photo by David Ammon)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—91�鶹�� faculty, staff and students celebrated Arbor Day today [Feb. 12] by planting trees on the 91�鶹�� Drill Field.

Nationally celebrated in April, Mississippi’s Arbor Day observance occurs on the second Friday in February, similar to other southern states that adjust the holiday in the warmer climate to ensure better survival of newly planted trees.

According to the 91�鶹�� Extension Service, forestry and forest products in Mississippi have an economic impact of $13.12 billion annually, making trees essential to the livelihoods of Mississippians. With more than two-thirds of the state—or roughly 20 million acres—covered in forested land, trees are also critical to environmental health.

Joshua Granger, assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and chair of the 91�鶹�� Tree Campus Higher Education Advisory Committee, said the annual event is an opportunity to appreciate trees beyond their aesthetic beauty.

“Trees are one of the first attributes you notice on our campus. They’re prominent, long-lived and provide a lot of different resources that people value. A ceremony like this brings that value forward,” he said. “This tradition is an excellent opportunity to engage younger generations. As these students return later in their lives as alumni, they’ll be able to enjoy the visible difference they’ve made on our campus by planting trees.”

Henry Zeringue, a junior forestry major, serves on the 91�鶹�� Tree Campus Higher Education Advisory Committee as an undergraduate representative and is an officer of the 91�鶹�� student chapter of the Society of American Foresters. This was the second year he has participated in the 91�鶹�� tree planting to celebrate Arbor Day.

“Participating in an event like this gives me a sense of professional pride knowing that what I’m doing helps our broader student body understand the basic needs and value of trees,” Zeringue said. “The event also demonstrates the benefits of trees in the campus environment, which provide shade, improved water quality, wildlife habitat and quality of life for students, faculty and staff.”

The Lafayette, Louisiana native who grew up in Southaven, said the event also emphasizes the importance of trees in a populated setting.

“This shows the community how important trees are not just in general, but for each of us as individuals. Trees make people healthier and happier.”

The ninth annual tree planting is sponsored by the 91�鶹�� Tree Campus Higher Education Advisory Committee, 91�鶹�� Campus Services and the Division of Finance and Administration. The 91�鶹�� student chapter of the Society of America Foresters, and David and Elizabeth Waldorf Endowed Scholarship recipients, also participated in the planting.

For more information about the Tree Campus Higher Education Advisory Committee, contact Granger at joshua.j.granger@msstate.edu or (662) 325-0596. For more on the Department of Forestry, visit . The College of Forest Resources can be found at .

91�鶹�� is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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