Arbor Day brings planting, visiting experts April 8
When Jerry Burns, professor of chemistry, launched the Arbor Day event at Pellissippi State three years ago, he wanted to do more than talk about trees.
“Discussions with students,” Burns said, “made me think we needed something like Arbor Day here to make people realize what’s really good and effective for the environment and what’s just ‘spin.’”
National Arbor Day this year is April 24. The Arbor Day celebration on the Pellissippi Campus is April 8.
“This is a day for education about the benefits of trees and about actions that individuals can do to minimize their own impact on the environment. It is also for education about ‘environmental issues’ that really aren’t what they seem; some actions portrayed as being environmentally friendly are actually misguided or even detrimental.”
Burns cites global warming and biofuels as two such issues. The film “What Is Normal?” which addresses global warming, will be shown in the Goins Building Auditorium at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
In addition, two local experts will speak in the Goins Building Auditorium.
At 10:45, Tom Simpson, an urban forester for eastern Tennessee, will address the benefits of trees in an urban environment. David Bolt, a local contractor specializing in solar energy, will speak at 1:30.
Simpson will supervise the planting of hazelnut bushes near the College’s west entrance at noon.
The Pellissippi State celebration will include information, polls and prize giveaways in the Courtyard, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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