Elijah Noriega 
EDINBURG – UTRGV is home to nearly 2,000 trees that has led for the campus to be part of the Tree Campus USA organization.
This is possible because of Edinburg’s very own Tree Board Committee.
Professors like Dr. Racelis and Dr. Levy are on the Tree Board and plan to have an urban forestation class next semester.
Mr. Krupel, the only city forester in the RGV, spoke on why trees are important on a campus.
“Trees are wonderful. They take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. They lower the heat island effect, which is part of the global climate change. The more trees, the less heat islands you have, so you’re going to lower the ambient temperature. UTRGV is a wonderful urban forest and were doing another tree survey, Dr. Racelis will be doing one next semester,” said Krupel.
Last week City of Edinburg celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees at Janet Vackar Park.
“Edinburg has become a Tree City USA, they established a Tree Board. Our plan is to incorporate more trees into the city and to establish new trails, so people can get around safely, walk, run, cycle safely around the city. I believe as an environmentalist, the future is going to be key. Having trees in the environment is gonna be key to fighting climate change,” said Mark Peña, chairman for Edinburg’s Tree Board Committee.
UTRGV and City of Edinburg will continue to celebrate Arbor Day every year. For more information you can go to the Arbor Day page on UTRGV’s website.
Click on the video below to watch the full story.
