March 11, 2013
Media Advisory – Touch of Nature Tree Planting
A special tree planting involving Carbondale children will officially kick off a new program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center.
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to attend the planting of trees at the center’s new arboretum at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13. The arboretum is near the center’s administrative offices, and a group of children in grades 4-7 from the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale will be on hand to assist with the planting. The children will also enjoy an environmental education outdoor activity.
Touch of Nature is launching the arboretum project allowing individuals or groups to purchase trees as a memorial or in honor of someone. The first tree, courtesy of Anna Nursery, is a memorial for Geoff Schropp, a former staff member at the center. The children will be planting a couple of other trees to initiate the new program.
Anyone interested in purchasing a tree for the arboretum can do so by contacting Touch of Nature at 618/453-1121 or tonec@siu.edu. The cost varies, beginning at $150; call or email for more detailed pricing information. The new arboretum will include native hardwoods and feature an oak grove.
For more information about the tree-planting event, contact Mike Carter, director of Touch of Nature, at 618/453-1121 or mike.carter@siu.edu.
Touch of Nature, open since 1951, is a 3,100-acre environmental education center bordered by Giant City State Park, the Shawnee National Forest and the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. It is home to Camp Little Giant, the nation’s first university-affiliated residential camping program for people with disabilities, as well as numerous other programs, activities and services including Therapeutic Recreation, Environmental Education, Underway Adventures and Lodging and Event Services.
Learn more about the facility at www.ton.siu.edu.