Celebrating Earth Day, Arbor Day with Environmental Information Fair

Eighty-five.

That’s the number of ash trees on campus that have been killed by the emerald ash borer, according to Steve Sypniewski. “We’re treating the ones that are left,” he said, “but we will probably lose some more.” Sypniewski is a certified arborist with BSCenery, part of Campus Services at Buffalo State.

At the ninth annual Environmental Information Fair, information about preventing the spread of this invasive insect will be available. The fair will feature many other resources for promoting sustainability.

The event, free and open to the public as well as to the campus community, will take place on Tuesday, April 26, from noon to 1:30 in the plaza in front of E. H. Butler Library. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, it will be held in the library’s lobby.

“It’s a way to celebrate both Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day, the last Friday in April,” said Sypniewski. In honor of the occasion, PLANT WNY has donated a new tulip tree that will be located on the north side of Buckham Hall. Other sponsors of the event include Mavin Clean Inc., who will be providing free plants to give away and information about recycling electronics.

“Modern Corporation, the campus recycler for plastic, glass, metal, paper, and cardboard, is providing free food,” said Lauren Morse, staff assistant with Campus Services and sustainability coordinator of Evergreen. Other vendors include Farmer Pirates, who composts the campus food waste and landscaping debris. “This event provides so much useful information to the campus community, and everyone benefits from participating,” said Morse.

Information will be available from John Bleech, environmental programs coordinator of Environmental Health and Safety at Buffalo State; Erie County Recycling Department; Erie County Department of Environment and Planning; and City of Buffalo forester Ross Hassinger.

GoBike will be on hand to hold a bike light giveaway and demonstrate how to use the bicycle fix-it station in front of the library. “GoBike will also use the fender blender to make pedal-powered smoothies,” said Morse.

After people enjoy the event, Sypniewski hopes they will take a few minutes to notice the Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum. “The collection includes about 1,500 trees,” he said, “and about a hundred species. The pin oak at the northeast inside corner of Chase Hall is the oldest tree on campus. Trees take a long time to grow and while you can always plant a new one, you can’t really replace a tree that’s been standing for 50 years. The best time to plant a tree, they say, is 20 years ago; the second-best time is today.”