Replant Mount Oread to refresh historic gateway to campus


LAWRENCE — As visitors to the University of Kansas pull past the Chi Omega fountain and onto the west end of Jayhawk Boulevard, one of the first sites they encounter is a landscape that was gifted by the Class of 1947. Once a healthy grove of pear trees lining the road between Lindley and Marvin halls, today the trees are showing their age and the planting beds around them are in need of a refresh.

But on Nov. 1, student volunteers, KU employees and donors will bring new life to the area. Replant Mount Oread, a campus initiative to engage the campus community in raising funds and planting trees, will be adding 14 new elm, maple and pine trees to the lawn. The project will also plant hydrangeas, hostas and flowering perennials in new and expanded beds along Marvin Hall, Lindley Hall and Jayhawk Boulevard. A Replant project in 2014 added 10 small pear trees in anticipation of the existing trees starting to age.

Replant Mount Oread, which has planted more than 200 trees on campus since 2012, is supported by donations through KU Endowment. The Center for Sustainability and the Campus Tree Advisory Board have established a KU Endowment Launch KU campaign to raise funds for the planting. The campaign has a goal of raising $9,000 by Nov. 8. The campus community, alumni and friends of KU are encouraged to donate at the Launch KU site.

In addition, Student Senate is contributing $15,000 to the project this year through a Student Environment Advisory Board allocation. The student contribution will allow the program to add additional plantings to the landscape along with a new seating area just outside of Lindley Hall.

The Center for Sustainability is also seeking volunteers to help with the planting. Anyone interested in helping Nov. 1 can sign up for shifts starting at 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. by registering on the Center for Sustainability website.

Photo: Student volunteers work at a Replant Mount Oread project site in April 2017. A new Replant project will take place Nov. 1 along Marvin and Lindley Halls. Credit: Meg Kumin, KU Marketing Communications.

Tue, 10/15/2019

author

Jeff Severin

Media Contacts

Jeff Severin

Center for Sustainability

785-864-5804