Quinnipiac University Celebrates Arbor Day by Planting Trees in Hamden

HAMDEN - Quinnipiac University celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by planting trees at Eli Whitney Park and the Albert Schweitzer Institute.

"Arbor Day is a celebration of all trees do for us,” said Sarah Lawson, assistant professor of biology and member of the QU Campus Tree Advisory Committee. “They give us clean air, prevent erosion and play an important role in carbon sequestration, which helps reduce the detrimental effects of climate change."

Courtney McGinnis, professor of biology and also a member of the committee, quoted Julius Sterling Morton, who said, “Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”

“Thinking about this statement helps explain why tree planting is important for future generations and the future of Quinnipiac,” McGinnis added.

Quinnipiac recently earned Tree Campus Higher Education recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. The program honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.

Friday’s celebration was sponsored by Quinnipiac, the Hamden Alliance for Trees and the, “YOU GOT THIS, KID! Leadership Foundation.”

“This Arbor Day celebration is an investment in the future and demonstration of the commitment of QU to investing in creating a sustainable campus and positively impacting the greater community,” said Meghan Doyle, a law student from Milford and the university’s Sustainability Fellow.