Planting Trees for a Purpose with the University of Alabama’s Forest Stewards Guild Chapter

Written By Lily Roehrig

This past February, a group of passionate students from the University of Alabama’s (UA) student chapter of the Forest Stewards Guild took a break from their studies and rolled up their sleeves to give back to the community. Partnering with Caring Days Adult Day Care and the UA tree nursery, the students volunteered their time to plant several dozen trees, enhancing the facility’s outdoor space and creating a more peaceful, nature-filled environment for the center’s residents. 

For many residents of the day care, spending time outdoors is a cherished part of their daily routine. Nature has long been shown to have therapeutic effects, including reducing stress, improving mental health, and providing a sense of peace and connection. Recognizing the positive impact that nature can have on well-being, the students set out to enhance the outdoor space surrounding the facility, hoping that the residents will be able to watch the seedlings grow, enjoy their blooming in the spring, and promote their well-being over the years. 

The day was filled with hard work, enthusiasm, and camaraderie. Students worked closely with Caring Days staff and UA landscape architects to plant the containerized seedlings at the correct distancing and depths. Many of the trees chosen were native species and included northern red oak, scarlet oak, and water oak. These trees were selected with the hope that they would not only be aesthetically appealing but also attract local wildlife, further enriching the ecosystem. The group dug holes, planted seedlings, and learned about tree maintenance from the experienced architects at UA. Many of the students involved in the event are in the process of taking “Forest Ecosystem Management: Silviculture”. This is one of several courses taught by the director of UA’s environmental science department, Justin Hart, and it seeks to provide students with a knowledge of silviculture and its ecological basis so they can design manipulations in forest ecosystems. (Hart is also a Guild member and the faculty advisor for the UA Guild Student Chapter). As they worked, many students excitedly noted that they were able to connect the terminology and methods they learned in this course to the activities they were completing.

The event was a shining example of how students can make a positive difference beyond the classroom. Through their volunteer work, the guild members not only contributed to the improvement of the adult day care but also helped foster a deeper connection between forests and the community. 

This tree-planting event marks just one of many initiatives UA’s chapter of the Forest Stewards Guild plans to carry out in the future, continuing its mission to promote forestry education, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. 

Editor’s note: coming very soon, UA Student Chapter members will present a bit about their chapter’s activities and logistics on a webinar for Guild student and professional members. Stay tuned!