The Natural Resources Club at the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) planted their latest round of tree seedlings in the Chippewa National Forest (the Chippewa or the Chipp) this Arbor Day weekend. Led by former and current advisors Phil Baird and Laura Bell, 21 students joined the legacy of the ‘Crookston Crew’ at the annual event, bringing life to the forest and hands-on experience to their field of study.
“It's a great day to go out in the woods and see everyone come together for one cohesive conservation project,” says Bell, lab services coordinator for the Natural Resources Department.
The tradition started in 1982 when Baird, associate professor emeritus in the Natural Resources Department, met with a U.S. Forest Service employee at the Chippewa National Forest. They talked about bringing some students to the forest to plant a few trees and spend time outdoors. Decades later, the Natural Resources Club is still at it.