Historic trees chopped down

A lineal grove of at least 17 trees was cut down this past Friday on the west edge of Leonidoff Field, the site of ongoing construction for the new football stadium. Dr. Feldman is the Chair and Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at the Marist College School of Science. He estimates the age of the oldest removed tree to be 180 years. If this estimate is accurate, then the tree predates Marist College itself by nearly 80 years and even shares some history with Saint Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers, in the early nineteenth century.

A total of at least six different species of trees were removed, including the slippery elm, which is a rare tree to find on campus, said Feldman.

Feldman has been advocating for "big tree protection" in every community that he has been a part of for the past 20 years. Feldman said he believes an environmental advisory committee, composed of students, staff and faculty, should be formed at Marist that has the opportunity to provide input regarding environmental issues on campus, both external and internal.

"Decision-makers really misjudged how this would affect people," said Feldman. "It has affected people."

The only opportunity that allowed for input, said Feldman, was in open sessions that were held last year that explained the master plan and gave an opportunity for questions and answers. However, specifics, such as the removal of trees, were not discussed at this time.

In an email addressed to the Marist faculty, Feldman appealed to others to co-sign a letter that expresses concern about this occurrence. The letter will also "express how this event represents a flaw in the process of decisions that affect faculty and staff." As of Tuesday morning, Feldman had 59 responses in support of co-signing the letter.

Maxine Presto is a freshmen member of Students Encouraging Environmental Dedication (S.E.E.D.).

"As students who support Marist College financially and in our involvement with clubs and organizations, I believe that we should be informed of such issues," she said. "It seems that, too often, nature is compromised for specific aesthetical goals

and entertainment."

According to Feldman, there is a lot of concern in the Marist college community because of a lack of environmental stewardship.

"Members of that community would like to be part of building a more environmentally conscious college," said Feldman. "This really flies in the face of environmental consciousness. This says to me that environmental concerns don't matter."

Feldman said that he hopes this will be a "catalyst for action", that people will become more aware and involved because the college "can do better".

According to Feldman, the trees' removal will have an impact on the campus climate. A group of trees creates a little microenvironment with their own microclimate. The evaporation coming off their leaves has a cooling effect and their root structures play a role in regulating soil moisture. They reduce flooding, which is a concern with athletic fields.

"Every one of those trees was basically a free water pump," Feldman said.

The Physical Plant and President Dennis Murray were not able to be interviewed for this article.