UCF Used Green Thumb this St. Patrick’s Day

This St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2016, UCF volunteers gathered to celebrate UCF’s trees in recognition of Arbor Day. UCF Landscape and Natural Resources and the Arboretum hosted the Arbor Day event by leading volunteers through a planting and learning experience. National Arbor Day is always celebrated on the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates throughout the year based on best tree planting times in their area.

Volunteers had the opportunity to plant trees with fellow environmental advocates. The event featured the planting of two beautiful native Florida trees; Red Maple, Acer rubrum, and Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum, around the pond near the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center.

In addition to the tree planting, the afternoon event included walking tours of the campus landscapes and natural lands, free food, and a tree giveaway.

This enriching opportunity enabled volunteers to truly appreciate and understand the many environmental and aesthetic benefits of trees, as well as reap the reward of self-fulfillment in giving back to Mother Nature.

UCF is a leader in creating a greener college campus for the 21st century. They promote  “go green” initiative programs that encompass not only recycling and reducing fuel emissions, but they also put a great emphasis on everyone’s most cherished greenery: Trees!

UCF has been a certified Tree Campus USA through the National Arbor Day Foundation since 2010, and the annual Arbor Day Celebration is a continuing part of keeping that meaningful certification.

Video courtesy of Connor Engelhardt, UCF Knightly News.