Stetson University sophomore Matinicus Csenger grew up hunting, fishing, boating and enjoying the outdoors around his hometown of Naples, Florida.

The Interim Environmental Sustainability Fellow wanted to organize an event for National Arbor Day on Friday, April 27, that would share his passion for the environment, contribute to the Stetson campus and encourage his fellow students to get involved.

On Friday, he and student volunteers will plant about 65 trees — live oaks, cypress, sycamores, winged elms, redbuds and ironwood donated by the city of DeLand — at five locations across campus. The sites include the Forest of Arden near the Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center, Smith and Gordis Halls, and near Fraternity and Sorority Rows.

“These trees are going to be around in 20, 50, maybe even 100 years, long after generations have come through Stetson University,” said Csenger, a double major in economics and philosophy, and Campus Activities chair for Delta Sigma Phi. “To me, this is a long-lasting project. This is a legacy, for sure.”

Csenger estimates he needs at least 30 student volunteers, and they will be joined by city of DeLand Forester Mariellen Calabro, several state foresters and Stetson’s Grounds workers to offer assistance.

David Rigsby, Stetson’s manager for Grounds, said the Arbor Day project will be the largest at Stetson, given the number of trees planted, and will replace many trees lost in recent storms.

“We’ve either had trees damaged or lost in the series of hurricanes since 2004,” he said.

The Arbor Day celebration, co-sponsored by the Stetson Environmental Club and the Gillespie Museum, will take place Friday from 1–3 p.m. at the Rinker Environmental Learning Center. Volunteers will receive Cultural Credit for attending a brief talk by an expert in sustainability and participating in the planting.

Students interested in volunteering should visit the event’s Facebook page and click “Going.”