"How can I make an impact?" It was a question as simple as that which led UMD Senior Gavin Buersken to coordinate a large tree planting project with Stowe elementary last spring. The successful event has inspired a second round of tree plantings this year.
Last May, 600 trees were planted in a forested area near Stowe Elementary in just a few short hours thanks to help from 4th and 5th grade students. "It started out as a couple hundred [trees]," says Buersken of the original goal, but a partner came through with addition resources which led to a day of smiles and more trees in the ground than originally anticipated. "It was just a very special day."
This spring, Buersken is not just replicating the project, but expanding it. "This year we're going to [plant] over a thousand." The locations for the planting will be at Lowell Elementary and Marshall School. "I'm very fortunate that other schools were willing to work with me on this." The planting is scheduled for May 10th from 9am-1pm. Those interested in lending a hand can contact Gavin via email.
For Buersken, the focus on ecology isn't coming to a close. Upon graduating from the University of Minnesota Duluth, he'll begin a career with Northern Ecological Services.
You can hear Green Visions at 8:20am every Wednesday on Northland Morning.
