Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, has planted 24 trees as part of an arboretum project funded by the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor through the Lehigh Valley Greenways Grant Program.

The program is under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Phase 1 of planting was completed in early December 2021 with trees planted on the southwest side of campus near the Rothrock Library and Berrier Hall.

The arboretum is a continuation of a vision to create a micro-ecosystem on campus, building on the new pollinator gardens, meadow garden and outdoor classrooms.

The Schnecksville campus occupies acreage bordering the Trexler Nature Preserve on land that was formerly orchards.

These conservation projects demonstrate best practices in land management and ensure viability of the campus micro-ecosystem for future generations.

The Greenways grant also builds on the efforts of students in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society who completed a detailed inventory of the trees on campus.

Twenty species of climate-change resistant trees were planted, including native species of oak, maple, redbud, sycamore, cherry, aspen, pine and gum, to name a few.

Lehigh Valley Greenways mini grants assist nonprofits, municipalities and educational institutions to accomplish a variety of projects to benefit residents of the Lehigh Valley.

“This grant allows our college, during its 55th anniversary year, to celebrate the rich, natural history of our beautiful Schnecksville campus, while continuing to provide immersive and experiential learning opportunities for our students and the community for years to come,” LCCC President Dr. Ann D. Bieber said.

The arboretum will serve as a catalyst for additional educational components and demonstrates the collaboration among students in biology, the STEM student club, Sustainability Committee, PTK and the college’s board of trustees.

In addition, resources such as prekindergarten and elementary school lessons will be available for the community to learn more about the benefits of trees and their importance to the quality of our lives.

LCCC students will develop an interactive resource to guide people walking through the arboretum, including QR codes on trees with species information.

In a later phase, an accessible walkway will wind its way through the area.

Additional activities are planned for spring 2022, including an Earth Day celebration, labeling trees and planning for the next phase to further enhance the arboretum and its impact on the community.