UNB to launch Memorial Forest project
Author: Communications
Posted on Aug 1, 2017
Category: UNB Fredericton
The University of New Brunswick will launch its Memorial Forest project at its Fredericton campus tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 2, during a ceremony that will also dedicate the forest’s 150th tree in honour of Canada 150.
One-hundred and forty-nine trees have been planted on the university’s Fredericton campus over the years, standing in memory of members of the UNB community, in honour of graduating classes and in celebration of milestones.
Led by UNB’s faculty of forestry & environmental management, Associated Alumni and Facilities Management, the Memorial Forest project catalogs the location of trees and why they were planted.
Ed Czerwinski, technical team lead in the faculty of forestry & environmental management, says he established the idea of the Memorial Forest in 2014 after UNB lost several trees in Hurricane Arthur.
“Since 1957, UNB and its alumni have planted trees to commemorate people and graduating classes,” says Mr. Czerwinski. “The Memorial Forest is a way to provide true recognition to those trees and the people they were planted in honour of.”
In honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, the newest tree will be dedicated to Canada’s milestone. As the tree, a green mountain sugar maple, grows with the campus it will act of a reminder of Canada’s past and inspire the future.
Acting dean of the faculty of forestry & environmental management Dr. Ted Needham explains the planting of the 150th memorial tree on campus was coincidental with Canada’s 150th year since Confederation. But it also represented an opportunity to celebrate our nation on campus.
“Our students and graduates come from and go to all corners of Canada,” says Dr. Needham. “UNB represents the diversity of Canada and we should celebrate this.”
Representatives from the faculty of forestry & environmental management and UNB Associated Alumni will speak alongside UNB President Dr. Eddy Campbell and Imelda Perley, UNB’s elder-in-residence and Canada 150 ambassador.
A reception with refreshments will be held after the ceremony at Sir Howard Douglas Hall. All are welcome to attend the event.
Media contact: Kelly Stewart, (506) 470-3413