Mulch Madness: Help UK Reach Tree Campus USA Status

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 7, 2015) — University of Kentucky faculty, staff and students are invited to mulch and plant trees around William T. Young Library as part of "Mulch Madness" from 2-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.

"Mulch Madness," a service-learning event organized by UK's Urban Forest Initiative in partnership with the Campus Physical Plant Division (PPD) and the Office of Sustainability, is part of UK's efforts to maintain its status as a Tree Campus USA. UK was first designated a Tree Campus by the Arbor Day foundation in 2011 and has been awarded the status each year since.

Tree Campus USA helps colleges and universities around the country establish and sustain healthy community forests. To be recognized, institutions must establish a campus tree advisory committee; campus tree care plan; campus tree program with dedicated annual expenditures; Arbor Day observance; and a service learning project. 

Thursday's event will include education about UK's urban forest and how PPD cares for these trees, as well as hands-on experience promoting the health of trees around the library.

“Trees support broad ecosystems, act as water filters, produce oxygen, and have great aesthetic value," said Amanda Williams, a student intern with the Urban Forest Initiative and one of the organizers for the event. "Because of the many benefits trees provide, it is important that we take care of them in return. Mulch Madness is a great opportunity for students to learn proper tree care and planting techniques that will benefit all of us in the future with healthy trees.”

All supplies for mulching and planting will be provided by PPD. Interested volunteers are encouraged to sign-up online but walk-ups are welcome and there will be a sign-in table outside on the University Drive side of the W.T. Young Library. Participants are invited to volunteer anytime between 2 and 6 p.m.

The Urban Forest Initiative is also partnering with the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment, UK Department of Entomology and UK Department of Forestry on an Urban Forestry Seminar Series this year. For information on the series, visit https://ukntrees.ca.uky.edu/events/speaker-series.  

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu