Become a ‘citizen scientist’ and help map Penn State Behrend’s Arboretum

The Arboretum at Penn State Behrend contains more than 200 species of trees. That’s a lot of trees to count, which is why we’re hoping you’ll help.

Community members are invited to visit campus Thursday, Oct. 31, to become “citizen scientists” and help map the arboretum. Several new species of trees have been introduced to campus since the arboretum’s dedication in 2003, and this effort will allow the college to create a new map, which will identify all trees on campus.

In recognition of Halloween, attendees are encouraged to be festive and wear their favorite costume for this special “Haunting of the Trees” event. The mapping, which will be done using geographic information systems (GIS) technology, will be conducted from noon to 1:30 p.m. Attendees should meet in room 156 of the Nick Building, located in the college’s School of Science complex. Following the activity, free cider and donuts will be served at the Wilson Picnic Grove from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to attendees wearing the best costumes.

Attendees can register themselves or their children for the event here. This effort is part of the college’s Sustainability Series, a yearlong series of events, which will culminate with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2020.

A full schedule of events for the Sustainability Series is available on the Sustainability at Penn State Behrend webpage.

The Sustainability Series is an outreach program of the Office of Sustainability at Penn State Behrend. For more information on the series, contact Sam Mason, sustainability coordinator, at [email protected].