Students starting tree garden to help IIB

 

Flashback to the 1960s. A British accountant may have invented that floating, blobby lava lamp. But now everyone can make their own, if they sign up for the Earth Day festivities at Ohio University Southern-Ironton Campus on Wednesday, April 22.

From noon-2 p.m. at the Shaffer Courtyard will be non-stop do-it-yourself labs where, beside that retro light, participants can work a photo booth or make an herbal tonic plus solar and polymer projects.

Also during that time there will be pyrotechnics in the chemistry lab on campus.

At 2 p.m. in the courtyard will be the start of a partnership both sides are hoping will be long-term and beneficial for the college and the city of Ironton.

“Our science students will maintain a tree plantation that they will turn around and once the trees are old enough, they will donate them to Ironton In Bloom,” Eric McLaughlin admissions adviser/recruiter, said. “As soon as they are viable, they will help resupply trees around the city.”

Teaming up with IIB came after McLaughlin heard a presentation by IIB president Carol Allen at a recent Ironton Rotary Club meeting.

“I thought this needs to happen,” McLaughlin said.

Improving the downtown landscape is an ongoing focus of IIB following a poor rating on its urban forestry from America In Bloom, the parent organization, when AIB officials visited Ironton a few years ago.

“We have been working on that slowly for a long period of time, trying to get the trees in town pruned so they’d look good and showcase the businesses,” Allen said.

Four years ago IIB started celebrating Arbor Day by planting trees downtown.

“More people are cutting down trees than planting them,” Allen said. “Over the next several years we are trying to invest in the community and have the community invest with us. I hope (OUS) continues planting 10 to 20 trees. It is a great partnership. It supports the education of the students in not only community involvement but the value of trees and care of trees.”

Those wishing to participate in the Earth Day labs, must register by April 17, by contacting McLaughlin at 740-533-4607 or mclauge1@ohio.edu.