Earth Day & Arbor Day Events |
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April 19, 2016, Volume 62, No. 31 |
With Earth Day this Friday, followed soon thereafter by Arbor Day, it is time to focus on trees, on campus and at the Morris Arboretum, and everywhere from here to there.
Ceremonial Tree Planting
The Penn community is invited to celebrate Earth Day, April 22, at 11:30 a.m., on College Green between the north side of Claudia Cohen Hall and the LOVE statue. Through a partnership with FRES and the Morris Arboretum, Penn will host a ceremonial tree planting of a Prunus ‘Helen Taft’ flowering cherry tree in recognition of Penn’s 7th year being named a Tree Campus USA.
The ‘Helen Taft’ tree is named for former First Lady Helen Taft to commemorate the 100th anniversary in 2012 of the Japanese gift of cherry trees that now are a celebrated landmark of the nation’s capital. Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two of the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in DC in a ceremony on March 27, 1912.
Participants in Friday’s ceremony will include Penn’s Vice President of Facilities & Real Estate Services Anne Papageorge; University Landscape Architect Bob Lundgren and the Morris Arboretum’s Director of Horticulture and Curator Tony Aiello.
Campus Tree Tours
Register now for the tree tours that will take place on April 22, following the 11:30 a.m. event.
Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TreeCampusUSA2016
Then, on Earth Day, meet on College Green between the north side of Claudia Cohen Hall and the LOVE statue following the Ceremonial Tree Planting and photo opportunity. Tree tours will be presented by FRES Landscape Architect staff and Morris Arboretum staff:
Significant Trees–presented by Jason Lubar and Bob Wells
Specialty Gardens–presented by Bob Lundgren and Chloe Cerwinka
Group Bike Ride to Arboretum
April 23, Pedal to the Petals! Penn students are invited to ride their bikes from campus to the Morris Arboretum with Arboretum staff and the Penn Outdoors Club. The group will meet in front of the Penn Museum at 10:30 a.m. The ride will be on bike trails for 13 out of the 14 miles to the Arboretum and go past some of the prettiest places in the city (Philadelphia Museum of Art, Boathouse Row & Wissahickon Valley Park). Spring petals will be in abundance when the group arrives at the Arboretum. Complimentary refreshments will be available for everyone to recharge and the Morris Café will be open for more extensive meal options. The group will head back to campus at 3 p.m. and be back on campus by 4:30 p.m. All participants need their own bike, helmet and water bottle.
Register in advance at http://tinyurl.com/ht38jyg
Celebrating Arbor Day at Arboretum
How does your garden grow? Find out how to make it flourish at Morris Arboretum’s Arbor Day Family Day on Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Expand your tree and gardening knowledge and discover how to help plants and flowers grow. Explore three very different garden stations that will surprise you and sketch your own special garden. Learn how to choose garden plants, experiment with seeds and create your own indoor or outdoor garden.
After you’ve visited these garden stations, stop by the Upper Gallery from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to learn more about trees at Arbor Day related demonstration tables. Discover which everyday items, such as cough syrup and cinnamon, are made from trees. Talk with artisans who have crafted bowls and birdhouses from Arboretum reclaimed wood, which are available for purchase in the shop. This event, open to all visitors, is free with garden admission and also gives 4th and 5th grade Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn their “Gardener” badge. |