Southern Miss Tree Task Force to Host Annual Arbor Day Celebration

Tue, 02/11/2020 - 01:33pm | By: Van Arnold

The University of Southern Mississippi will host its annual Arbor Day celebration on Friday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m. This year’s ceremony will be held at the corner of Hardy Street and N. 30th Avenue, at the site of the old Jazz Station.

“This area has been devoid of any plantings since the Jazz Station was demolished after the 2013 tornado,” said Loren Erickson, Superintendent of Campus Landscape. “Four trees will go into the ground after the ceremony, which will include a live oak, purple leaf plum, black gum "wildfire" and a trident maple.”

On hand to help plant the trees will be students from The DuBard School for Language Disorders, which is located on the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus.

“This site has a lot of history, as it has served as a fire station, and eventually became rehearsal space for the music department’s jazz program,” said Dr. Chris Crenshaw, Senior Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning and Management.  “We are excited to bring enhancements to this area of campus, as they will coincide with the improvements coming to Hardy Street and N. 31st Avenue.”

This event is open to the public and all students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend.  For additional information about this event, contact Michelle Shinall at michelle.shinall@usm.edu.