Casey Trees planting event set; 30 trees to be planted on campus

On Friday, October 21, 2016, registered volunteers from the Gallaudet community will assemble on campus for a tree planting event.

Casey Trees, a local organization dedicated to restoring the tree canopy in D.C., is donating 30 trees to Gallaudet and will provide training to volunteers to ensure that the trees are planted correctly and safely. Approximately 50 members of the Gallaudet community are expected to participate in this inaugural event.

The event, which is only open to faculty, staff, alumni, and students, requires advance registration as space is limited. Check in starts at 9:30 a.m. on the Gallaudet Mall in front of the Edward Miner Gallaudet statue. At 10 a.m., the event begins with a light breakfast, a tool safety demonstration, and opening remarks by Provost Dr. Carol Erting.

Volunteers will then get their hands dirty planting trees. The event concludes with a celebratory lunch and be wrapped up by 1 p.m.

David Good, Gallaudet’s Energy and Sustainability manager, spoke to the significance of this event.

“Gallaudet’s campus is a valuable asset to the entire D.C. community,” said Good. “We have the unique benefit of having ample open space to plant trees. As the area around campus continues to develop, it becomes even more important that Gallaudet protects and improves its open space.”

The event also contributes to Gallaudet’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campus.

“Since 2009, we have reduced our emissions by more than 15 percent,” said Good. “Planting trees is one way that we can abate greenhouse gasses and other air pollution.”

Gallaudet and Casey Trees organized a tree planting event last year but it was ultimately canceled due to inclement weather. Good explained that talks are already underway in organizing the next one.

Casey Trees is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 that aims to restore, enhance, and protect the tree canopy in the nation’s capital.

To achieve this goal, Casey Trees plants trees and engages thousands of volunteers in both tree planting and tree care. Further, they provide year-round continuing education courses, monitor the city’s tree canopy, develop online tools, and interact with elected officials, developers, and community groups.