Among the many student groups set to give nature a nudge on Arbor Day this Friday (Apr. 26) are members of Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Agri-Techsans recruiting group and its Ambassadors for Agriculture, which is dedicated to spreading the story of American agriculture and opportunities.

The ground-breaking event kicks off at 11 a.m. at the university's Memorial Circle, said Lori Dudley, CASNR's Coordinator of Student Development. Live music by 'This Century' will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the student organization awards begin at 12:50 p.m. Planting begins at 1:20 p.m. and continues until 3 p.m.

Other CASNR organizations participating in the annual program include:

• Agricultural Economics Association (Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics)
• Block and Bridle (Department of Animal & Food Sciences)
• Meat Science Association (Department of Animal & Food Sciences)
• Pre-Vet Society (Department of Animal & Food Sciences)
• Society for Conservation Biology (Department of Natural Resources Management)
• Student American Society of Landscape Architects (Department of Landscape Architecture)

 

Agri-Techsans are the official student recruiters for CASNR, Dudley said. They're undergraduates from every department in the college, and come from many different backgrounds "" rural areas to large metropolitan areas and agricultural to non-ag backgrounds. Meanwhile, the Ambassadors for Agriculture group includes current CASNR students who've had extensive public speaking experience.

At Texas Tech, the Arbor Day event is a partnership among Student Union and Activities, Hospitality Services, Center for Campus Life, Tech Activities Board, Texas Tech Grounds Maintenance and the Texas Tech Ethics Center. "Arbor Day is a great opportunity to come together to beautify the campus and understand the importance of service," said Jon Mark Bernal, associate director of Tech's Student Union and Activities.

Texas Tech officials note that the university is making strides in sustainability by creating LEED-certified buildings and participating in events such as RecyleMania. When Texas Tech first started, most of the funds went towards the buildings, but the campus was lacking its landscape. Then, in 1937, president Knapp decided to dedicate one day every spring to beautify the campus. Today, the Tech tradition continues as students, staff and faculty beautify the campus on Arbor Day.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Cindy Akers, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or cindy.akers@ttu.edu

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