Hampton University News April 3, 2012 HU Students Plant 50 Trees Donated by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota Students and staff at Hampton University planted 50 trees from the Arbor Day Foundation this morning, in celebration of the University's commitment to improving tree care and sustainability and for working toward Tree Campus USA status. The volunteer effort at Hampton University is among 13 tree planting events sponsored by the Foundation and Toyota during the spring of 2012, six of them being held at historically black colleges and universities in partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The events at historically black colleges and universities are part of an aggressive campaign to spark conservation and prepare schools for Tree Campus USA recognition in 2012. Today, 45 species of crepe myrtles, red maples, river birches, sycamores and zelkova trees were planted on campus near McGrew Towers and White and Homes Hall. "Students throughout the country are passionate about sustainability and community improvement, which makes Hampton University's event exciting for everyone involved," said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Working together to plant trees and beautify campuses helps grow the next generation of environmental stewards." "We would like to thank the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota for donating these trees to Hampton University," said Monai Lowe, president of the Gamma Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Hampton University. "Planting these trees does not just affect us but they will beautify the campus for future students to enjoy." The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship. Campuses throughout the country are currently undergoing review for Tree Campus USA, with the number of participating colleges and universities expected to reach 154. During 2011, the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota helped campuses throughout the country plant 30,000 trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities have invested more than $22 million in campus forest management. More information about the Tree Campus USA program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA<http://www.arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.