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Date: 3/17/2022
AMHERST – In an effort to increase sustainability, students from the Amherst Regional High School are looking for support from the community in their 2022 tree planting project.
Last year, the high school’s Environmental Action Club (EAC) planted more than 250 trees throughout town to lessen the carbon impact in town. This was done through a tree planning event with students and volunteers from Amherst and surrounding towns through an organization called Tree-Plenish. This year, working with Tree-Plenish again, they have set a bigger goal of wanting to plant at least 300 trees in the same effort and to offset the school’s paper usage.
Julian Hynes, a sophomore at the high school, has been involved on the project as a member of the EAC for the last two years. While Hynes said while he is not as involved with the high school group as he was a year ago, he still is working with the group and involved in this year’s tree planting project. Hynes said the location of the trees plantings are yet to be determined but would be decided by a public vote later in the spring.
According to the “Striving for Sustainability at Amherst Regional High School” page on the Tree-Plenish events website, the goal of the EAC this year is to plant 405 trees, equaling four million sheets of paper replaced. While it is a lofty goal, sights are set at getting at least over 300 trees planted as an improvement from last year’s numbers.
Residents have until March 30 to request a tree through tpevents.org on the Amherst Regional High School page. For five dollars, residents can order a sapling, or a young tree, that will be planted in their yard by volunteers on April 30. You can also sign up to volunteer and help plant the new trees on April 30 on the same page.
There is also a donation tab if interested in donating towards Tree-Plenish and the work they do. The three options for the tree planting are American Sycamore, Red Maple or Pin Oak.
Hynes also serves as the treasurer of the Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee which has allowed him experience directly working on a committee that’s goals are creating a greener Amherst. Hynes got involved with the Public Shade Tree Committee assisting in their social media before being a liaison to the committee for the EAC.
Eventually he was appointed treasurer where he still serves and plans on reapplying for the position once it expires June 30. He says his role is not a unique one on the committee due to his age and he serves just as any other member would.
“I’m just very pleased that folks are interested in hearing my voice and other young voices from town and I think it’s a reminder for all municipalities that its important to include and listen to young voices, especially on climate because that is the planet, we are all inheriting,” Hynes said on working with the Public Shade Tree Committee.
Hynes says he is grateful there are so many people already on the Public Shade Tree Committee that were interested in teaching him and mentoring him in the process. He added that he has learned many things from his fellow members and the tree warden on what he needs to know in his position.
“It’s been an incredible learning opportunity and that’s the exact reason I plan to apply for another term because I really enjoyed it,” Hynes said.
Public Shade Tree Committee acting Chair Henry Lappen said Hynes has been a great addition to their committee as treasurer.
“Julian is a delight on our committee. He’s sharp, asks good questions and readily takes on tasks. We don’t treat him as a student but as a full member of the group,” said Lappen.
Hynes said he feels similarly, equating his fellow committee members as being just like classmates to him and that the work they’ve been able to do as a group has been a great experience.