On Saturday, October 1, 2022 Mason Exhibitions, with the support of Mason Facilities, the Patriot Green Fund (PGF), the Office of Sustainability, and community volunteers, planted 100 native hardwood tree saplings on the Fairfax Campus. This event was part of Atlantika Collective’s current exhibition at Mason Exhibitions Arlington. The tree planting event on Saturday was part of a socially engaged artwork, 200 Trees: A Performance Action, presented by visiting artist, Katie Kehoe.
"The Patriot Green Fund thrives on collaborations and this project was a wonderful demonstration of this as it explored the intersection of art and sustainability. The event brought students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members together to enact change that benefits sustainability at Mason. It was a truly mutually beneficial partnership between the Office of Sustainability, Mason Exhibitions, and Facilities Management, which made it an ideal initiative for funding support," said Sarah D’alexander, Sustainability Program Manager.
The trees will benefit the Mason Arboretum - a nationally accredited collection of trees and woody plants, which can be spotted on Mason’s campuses with labeled signs that include scannable barcodes to its online catalogue.
A big thanks to all the event volunteers for helping restore the native plant species in Virginia and increasing green landscaping at Mason!
In addition to serving the environment, this tree planting event launched the beginning of Mason’s Sustainability Month. During the entire month of October, Mason will celebrate Sustainability Month through sustainable programs and initiatives. From volunteering to helping Mason reduce its environmental impact, there are many ways to get involved. The Office of Sustainability encourages the Mason Community to make an impact, exemplifying our university’s commitment to a just and sustainable future for all.