Westminster College Field Station invites the community to help plant several hundred white oak and American beech seedlings Monday-Saturday, April 24-29, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m or Sunday, April 30, after 1 p.m.

"Arbor Day has a long and distinguished history," said Dr. Clarence Harms, professor of biology emeritus and director of the Field Station.  "Sterling Morton, a pioneer newspaper man, first proposed a tree-planting holiday called 'Arbor Day' in April 1872. 

"This year we are renaming Arbor Day as 'Sandy Day.'  What we are planning is a tree planting blitz to honor the memory of Sandra May Edmiston, a 2005 Westminster graduate who was a regular volunteer at the Field Station and helped many children plant trees.  Sandy died in a rock climbing accident in August 2005."

The event is free and open to the public.  First graders from Mohawk and Wilmington, as well as Lawrence County Head Start and Pack 733 Cub Scouts, have already reserved times to plant trees. 

"Seedlings will be available to anyone who wishes to come to the Field Station at 937 Fayette-New Wilmington Road, but to be sure a seedling is reserved for each person, including children, please call (724) 946-8520 and leave a message or e-mail me at harmsc@westminster.edu."

 "When you plant a tree, you are an optimist," Harms said.  "You believe there will be a future."

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