Campus News
October 22th, 2024
MLGC, Forest Service plant shrubs at College
GC gets 15 new shrubs as part of collaborative beautification project
Photo by John Rudd
A shrub-planting event took place at Garrett College last Wednesday. Pictured, left to right, are Mountain Laurel Garden Club Co-President Linda Harris, Western Region Urban & Community Forestry Coordinator Katherine Phillips, MLGC's Dan Portwood, Maryland Forest Service Garrett/Allegany Project Manager Melissa Nash, GC Director of Facilities Chris Painter, GC's facilities staff member Randy Murphy, MLGC's Julie Crolius and Mary Lou Kenney, Garrett County Forestry Board representative Mike Kozier, Ken Fisher, Garrett College Coordinator of Student Affairs Kym Newmann, MLGC's Patty Jones and David Broderick, Garrett College Chief Academic Officer Christa Bowser, and GC Facilities staff member Chad King.
The Mountain Laurel Garden Club, Maryland Forest Service, and Garrett College Facilities Department planted 15 shrubs last Wednesday along the front of the Shaw Learning Center on Garrett College's main campus.
Dogwoods and chokeberries predominated among the shrubs. The planting – following up on a planting initiative last spring overlooking the College's turf field – is just the latest joint venture at Garrett College including Mountain Laurel Garden Club and the Maryland Forest Service.
"As chair of MLGC's Conservation Committee, I feel it is very important to add native flowering shrubs and trees to the college's green space," said MLGC co-President Linda Harris. "This benefits students, staff, and visitors.
"This creates an attractive learning environment people can enjoy and thrive in," added Harris. "Nature has inherent benefits, and we are happy to be a part of this ongoing project."
Before starting the tree planting, Christa Bowser, chief academic officer of Garrett College, took a few moments to address those attending. In her remarks, she highlighted the work of the Arbor Day Foundation. This served as an Arbor Day Observation, culminating all the planting done at Garrett College during 2024.
"I appreciate the College's partnership with Mountain Laurel Garden Club and the Maryland Forest Service," said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president. "Our campus sits in one of the most beautiful locations in Maryland – really, the whole country. I'm grateful for the collaboration with both the Garden Club and Forest Service to enhance our College's natural beauty."
