Daemen has completed the institution’s “22 for 22” tree campaign, which kicked-off in the fall of 2019, in partnership with the Town of Amherst. This major college-town partnership was developed to support Amherst’s ambitious goal of planting one million trees across town. The initiative launched with the first 22 of those trees planted on the college’s Main Street campus front lawn, purchased by donors and friends of the college.
“Daemen has been a key part of the Amherst community and we were very proud to kick off this town-led effort,” said Dr. Gary Olson, president. “The college has a longstanding commitment to sustainability, and the successful completion of the campaign has helped further our comprehensive campaign and advance efforts in urban forestry throughout Amherst.”
The college’s tree fundraising endeavor supports the $22 million goal for the “Drive to 75,” the college’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, which will be completed in 2022, the year the college celebrates its 75th anniversary. This is just one of many projects that are part of a campus beautification initiative that Dr. Olson has been working on for several years. His initiative aligned well with Amherst’s town initiative, and the collaboration demonstrates one of many college-town partnerships.
Each supporter of the “22 for 22” campaign received a commemorative paver stone placed underneath their tree, many choosing to honor friends and family with engraved messaging.
The trees, along with other campus improvements, have helped transform the Amherst campus into a park-like setting, and will soon be in bloom this spring season. The college community is invited to visit the front lawn of campus to enjoy the first 22 of Amherst’s one million trees goal.