Buds of buds, greetings. The Green Corner learned a tough lesson last week when she remarked how little snow has fallen in Western New York this year. Mama Earth let the locals know to be careful what you wish for ( but I didn’t wish for it. Honest) and we were rewarded with a healthy 12″ of snow all throughout last weekend. Hey, dearest Mother Earth, I’m a little short on cash, can you make it “rain” some Benjamins this way?
Once again the University of Rochester is recognized for its contribution, dedication and maintenance of our beautiful urban campus by being named a Tree Campus USA from the Arbor Day Foundation. In order to qualify for this prestigious award, UR has met the five core standards of the program which vary from from evidence of a tree-care plan to the sponsorship of student centered learning projects.
As with many accomplishments, this recognition does not come because of the efforts of one individual, it is truly a community endeavour; the UR community and our county at large that helps support our initiatives. The face of this effort could not happen without the full support of the UR administration including our Associate Vice President of Facilities and Services, Richard Pifer, Director of Support Operations, Patricia Beaumont and Dan Schied, manager of Grounds as well as his marvelous staff (Mike Miller, Ron Brown, Chris Roden, Andy Ludwig, Doug Heitsman, Keith Bonnlander, Ron Crandall, John Cushman, Al Hider, Chris Shockley, Chuck Pennington and our site services contractor led by Bob Zavaglia). Those folks and the ones who are in the background make this happen. When you see some of our Grounds staff around the campuses, give ’em the old hat tip/atta-boy for their accomplishments. They truly are stewards of this wonderful University.
In a few weeks the buds will bud, the grass will get greener and the trees will burst with life. It’s a sign of spring and renewal. It’s also a sign of hope.
Author John Fowles has a terrific summation of our life with trees when he wrote:
This is very nice program. I wish everyone should be eco-friendly since this is the only world we have, and there’s no where we can go if it’s destroyed.
Mae from message anniversaire