A tree-planting ceremony will lead the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s 152nd Founders’ Week Celebration and National Arbor Day.
This event, scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. near the W.E. O’Bryant Bell Tower on the UAPB campus, is open to all.
“A Leyland Cypress tree will be planted, marking the start of exciting and historical UAPB Founders’ Week events. We extend a warm invitation to students, faculty, staff, and the public to join us. For more information on UAPB’s 152nd Founders’ Week, go to UAPB.edu,” according to a news release.
Through a collaborative effort with LaTyeshia Arnett-Rembert, the director of the UAPB Child Development Center, children from the UAPB Early Head Start Child Care Program, along with their families, are invited to participate in the planting, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Approximately 40 preschoolers and eight children from Early Head Start attend the Child Development Center on UAPB’s campus, according to Marilyn Bailey, Ed.D., UAPB interim department chairperson and associate professor of Human Sciences, and executive director of EHS-CCP.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“They won’t have to worry about using the grown folks’ shovels; I bought some smaller shovels for them,” said Kevin Harris, an extension agent on urban stormwater for Jefferson County. “They’re going to observe and take part; they can help put the dirt around the tree.”
The UAPB Founders’ Day Committee and Harris envision the children growing up, returning to UAPB later in life, and remembering the event.
“Who knows? Those young people, I don’t know how many years down the road. They become students at UAPB, and guess what? They walk by those trees. They will be a whole lot larger, and they now have fond memories of a day of planting a tree at UAPB,” Harris said.
To remember the day, the children will receive an Arbor Day coloring certificate with a picture of the Leyland Cypress tree. Designed by the UAPB Office of Communications, the certificate allows the child to color it and print their name on it.
Harris said that UAPB joined the Tree Campuses of Higher Education program, an Arbor Day Initiative, and held its first celebration in 2023. The City of Pine Bluff also participates in these programs.
“Tree City and Tree Campuses of Higher Education all focus on beautification, utilizing trees in our environment, educating all ages on the importance of trees, and beautifying our campus,” Harris said.
He explained the importance of his partnership with the local forestry division and UAPB.
“We educate the public that are present on the proper way of planting a tree,” Harris said. “This event is an investment in our landscape there on campus, and we want to take care of it. And I can’t thank the grounds maintenance crew and Mr. David Suggs, who is the supervisor over grounds maintenance (at UAPB Facilities Management), enough because he does a really good job with the grounds maintenance staff that he has there, because we’re investing hundreds of dollars in each of these trees. When we purchase them from the nursery, that’s a cost and also an investment in beautifying the campus for years to come.”
On Tuesday, Harris will participate in the UAPB Founders’ Week Kick-Off event, setting up a tent and table near the Bell Tower area to promote Tree Campus Higher Education from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Students should stop by my tent to pick up information and learn more specifically because students can be involved. We have a planning committee, and a part of that committee is student body members,” Harris said.
He added that he will be capturing some stories about fond memories of trees. He’s also creating a picture frame that will show UAPB’s Tree Campus Higher Education designation and provide photo opportunities for posting on social media.
“I want to thank the campus of UAPB. It has just been a pleasure to work with faculty and staff, students, and administration. They have just been so kind in working with us, and it’s a partnership. That’s what it’s really all about. It’s a partnership for the betterment of the overall campus, the student body, and the community. So, I’m very appreciative of my family at UAPB,” Harris said.
UAPB encourages the public to share their UAPB tree-planting memories or experiences to further enrich the community’s connection to nature and UAPB. Stories can be submitted to https://uapb.edu/administration/institutional-advancement/office-of-communications/.