By Raegan Scharfetter

The annual Arbor Day Celebration will spread environmental conservation awareness to students, faculty and staff 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 28 on the front lawn of SE Campus.

SE is one of the few college campuses in Texas that has earned the distinction as a Tree Campus by the National Arbor Day Foundation since 2008. A committee made up of students, faculty and staff maintains the responsibilities to meet the criteria of being a Tree Campus, which includes hosting the celebration.

Prior to the event, a poster contest will serve as the invite. Other activities will include a cookie contest, a ceramics contest and a “Chalk-the-Walk” contest, where individuals or groups can create a chalk drawing on the sidewalk leading to the event. Scholarship winners from these contests will be presented by SE president Bill Coppola.

Between 20-30 various DFW environmental groups  will be available to talk with attendees. Attendees can take home a tree sapling to plant.

Assistant to the president Michael Cinatl said around 1,500 students went last year.

“The entire event is centered around awareness for our students,” he said. “They learn about tree conservation and planting, gardening, erosion, alternative energy and the sustainability of our environment.”

For more information about the event and contests, contact Cinatl at michael.cinatl@tccd.edu or 817-515-3037.