A local university is fighting back against a tree-killing pest.
It is estimated that the emerald ash borer has killed hundreds of millions of trees in Wisconsin, many of which sat on the campus of Lakeland University for decades.
Last week, the university received a delivery of 26 trees from Leaves Inspired Nursery, which were purchased as part of an Arbor Day Foundation grant Lakeland received earlier this year.
The trees were then planted by Lakeland staff and student members of the university’s Biology Club, while mulch for the project was donated by the City of Sheboygan.
On why this was necessary, Lakeland explained, “Lakeland’s 250-acre campus has experienced significant aesthetic and ecological loss following the removal of dozens of mature ash trees due to emerald ash borer.”
The Jumpstart funds received from the Arbor Day Foundation aim to “purchase and plant larger-caliper, climate-resilient tree species and planting supplies to accelerate campus tree recovery while providing immediate aesthetic and ecological benefits.”
