The weather was beautiful for Arbor Day festivities at SUNY Old Westbury where a team of students, faculty and staff worked together to plant 125 trees, donated by Bartlett Tree Experts of Westbury, New York.
“Arbor Day promotes a better future, and its meaning speaks clearly to our mission-based commitment to create a more environmentally sustainable and just world,” said Coordinator for the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement Alexa Rinaudo, co-chair of the Arbor Day activity. “This was a great opportunity for us to bring people together, and especially our students, to get their hands dirty, and to make a positive impact on our community and our ecology.”
In all, a team of approximately 30 took part in the planting effort on April 26, 2024. Bartlett’s Joe Colella volunteered his time to teach the Old Westbury participants about the six varieties of trees they were planting and to discuss with them the proper technique and care for new plantings. Bartlett Tree Experts also donated additional labor and equipment to the effort.
“Our students enjoy a campus with a wealth of natural beauty, including meadows and woods that support an array of wildlife,” said Director of Facilities Operations John Fabbricante, the other event c0-chair. “We were able to educate the students who participated on why that natural state is so important to us – psychologically, emotionally and physically – and teach them why it’s important to respect and replenish nature at all times.”
The teams planted trees outside the Campus Center Building, the Woodlands Residence Halls, and the Academic Village Residence Halls with others being planted along the campus’ Cherry Road entrance from the Long Island Expressway and near the Clark Athletic Center.
In addition to the trees planted, more than 100 more were presented to the Panther Pantry to be offered to clients of the pantry.
Arbor Day is a national observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. First celebrated in 1872, it was established as a way to encourage farmers and homesteaders to plant trees that would provide shade, shelter, food, fuel and beauty to open areas. In New York, Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated the last Friday in April.
