Arbor Day Event Brings Out PVM Volunteers to Add Trees to Brunner Complex Landscaping

May 5, 2023

volunteers plant trees along the hill with the Brunner Small Animal Hospital in the background — Volunteers from the College of Veterinary Medicine and across campus turned out in force for a tree planting project at the new Purdue University Veterinary Hospital facilities on Arbor Day.

This year Purdue University turned Earth Day into a month-long celebration that included an Arbor Day tree planting effort to enhance the landscaping around the new David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex. Campus Planning’s Architecture and Sustainability Department teamed-up with the Grounds Department, Arboretum, and the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine for the event that afforded a great Earth Month-themed volunteer opportunity for faculty, staff, and students.

Dr. Malek flashes a peace sign as she and Mu finish planting their tree — Dr. Sarah Malek, assistant professor of small animal orthopedic surgery, and Mu Young Kim, a visiting scholar from South Korea, celebrate their success as tree planting volunteers on Arbor Day.

Held on Arbor Day, Friday, April 28, the event helped celebrate the 14^th consecutive year of Purdue receiving the Tree Campus USA award. A host of volunteers from the college and across campus turned out for the effort, and helped plant some 60 native trees at the new David and Bonnie Brunner Small Animal, Equine, and Farm Animal Hospitals.

The tree planting project also contributed towards Purdue’s 2020 Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan goal of planting 3,728 new trees on campus between July 2020 and July 2024. Volunteers were advised to dress appropriately for the tree planting effort. Purdue Grounds provided necessary tree planting gear.

Despite cloudy skies and intermittent rain, the successful event resulted in beautiful additions to the landscaping around the new David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex. The trees that were planted are in addition to the trees planted as part of the original landscape construction plans for the new facilities.

Thank you to all the volunteers who turned out to lend a hand to this worthy effort!

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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