April 17th, 2019 by WCBC Radio
Allegany College of Maryland invites the community to join in observing Arbor Day on April 24 at 12:00 p.m. in Room 68 of the Science Building at its Cumberland campus. The celebration will feature remarks by Julie Conway, a 2018 ACM Forest Technology graduate and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service natural resources technician, in addition to its customary proclamation and tree plantings on campus. All are welcome to attend and casual attire is recommended.
Conway, a Bedford resident, will discuss the benefits of planting trees in urban communities as well as larger green spaces, as demonstrated by ACM’s intentionally “greened” surroundings.
Event attendees will learn proper tree-planting tips and techniques while helping to plant 15 trees on campus. Conway, fellow DNR staff, ACM forestry students and faculty members will field questions and offer advice on topics ranging from tree planting incentive programs to tree selection and zone hardiness.
The college’s event, registered with the national Arbor Day Foundation, is organized by a six-member Campus Tree Committee chaired by Marie Perrin-Miller, ACM assistant professor and Forest Technology program director.
ACM is the only community college in Maryland to be a designated Tree Campus USA school by the Arbor Day Foundation. It is also recognized by Maryland DNR as a People Loving and Nurturing Trees (PLANT) green-level award recipient for being a community that cares for and sustains its trees.
Well-maintained trees increase home and business property values, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality and help save on cooling and heating costs. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, trees properly placed around buildings may reduce the need for air conditioning by 30 percent and save up to 50 percent in heating costs. Additionally, research suggests that exposure to trees in rural or urban settings may improve a person’s immune system, accelerate illness or surgery recovery time, lower blood pressure, reduce stress and even increase one’s ability to focus, among other benefits.
For more information about ACM’s Arbor Day celebration, contact Perrin-Miller at 301-784-5256 or mperrin@allegany.edu.
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