In an effort to become one of the nation's "greenest" institutions, College of Western Idaho (CWI) held a tree-planting event Monday, Dec. 5. The event was part of CWI's process to earn the designation of a Tree Campus for Higher Education by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Thanks to efforts led by Assistant Professor of Agricultural Sciences, Dan Schults, and CWI Horticulture Technology students, faculty, and staff, community members in attendance at the planting event were able to learn about tree health and the benefits trees provide to people. Attendees were then assisted by CWI's Early Childhood Education Preschool class to plant a honey locust tree near the roundabout off E Terra Linda Way near the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
Special guests included an appearance from Dr. Suess' the Lorax, Tree City USA's Gerry Bates, City of Nampa Forester and Licensed Arborist, Adam Mancini, students, staff, and faculty from the Horticulture Technology program, and various staff and faculty from CWI's School of Math and Science.
The tree planting event puts the College one step closer to achieving the status of becoming a nationally recognized Tree Campus for Higher Education. This status includes a tree advisory committee, campus tree care plans, Arbor Day events, and service-learning projects.