May 6 ceremony the latest partnership effort with Trees Forever, Alliant Energy
The threat of impending rain didn’t dampen the spirits for a crew of dignitaries, faculty and students at Kirkwood Community College. May 6 was a day of digging and planting as the college accepted 42 trees on the Cedar Rapids main campus.
The May planting was the latest in a long series of greening efforts on the past of Trees Forever and Alliant Energy, joining with Kirkwood in the periodic “We Dig Your District” installations. Over the past two decades, hundreds of trees have been planted, some now providing substantial shade and wildlife protection across the 680 acres of rolling hillsides, parking lots and campus buildings.
The light-hearted, productive event was tempered with a bittersweet anniversary. Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich recalled the loss of long-time Parks & Natural Resources Professor Steve Atherton during his remarks.
“As we look across this beautiful campus, we remember that we lost Steve a year ago today. He would have loved to be here. This was really his element, adding natural beauty and worth to Kirkwood with trees like these. We miss him and dedicate this work to his memory today,” Starcevich said.
Atherton’s colleagues noted a spot near the new Kirkwood Horticulture and Floral Careers building, where a memorial area and tree planting will continue to commemorate the late professor’s work in Iowa.
The latest tree installation underscores another attribute of the Kirkwood Cedar Rapids campus.
“Seeing these trees reminds us at Kirkwood that every native species of tree in Iowa is found on our campus today. This partnership with Alliant and Trees Forever is a big reason why we can say that,” Starcevich added.