CSI’s Campus Gets Greener

The College of Staten Island is poised to receive about 1,550 new residents—trees that will be planted around the campus to add to those that already thrive on the 204-acre site.

According to James Pepe, Assistant Vice President for Campus Planning and Facilities Management, the trees will be planted under the auspices of MillionTreesNYC, an effort launched by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York Restoration Project (NYRP) founder, Bette Midler. The City of New York Parks & Recreation Department has partnered with the NYRP to plant trees throughout the five boroughs, with a goal of one million trees by 2017.

The first phase of the CSI planting is currently underway, Pepe says. Colored flags, identifying a specific species of tree, that have been placed around campus, are being replaced with approximately 800 large trees. Pepe notes that consideration for aesthetics, as well as the safety of the campus community, was taken into account, as the placement of the trees was chosen. Mentioning the, sometimes, large spaces between the buildings on the CSI campus, Pepe says, “In an effort to break up some of the vast spaces between buildings, the new trees will flank the major sidewalks and be placed in clusters in other areas with the hope of giving the campus more of a park-like setting.” However, Pepe points out that the full effects of these plantings will be felt in a few decades, once the trees have matured.

The second phase will take place on Friday, May 1 during “Dig in,” a CUNY volunteer planting day, where University students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to help plant about 750 smaller trees, in an effort to reforest the area between the retention pond and the electrical substation near the front of the campus. Volunteers will simply place the trees in pre-dug holes; contrary to the event’s name, no digging will be required. Pepe states that all 750 will be planted on May 1; if the volunteers aren’t able to get them all in the ground, Parks Department employees will finish the job.

For more information on “Dig in” or to volunteer, Click Here.