University hosts Arboretum Week activities April 21-29

The University is planning several on-campus activities April 21-29 in conjunction with Newport Arboretum Week, a series of activities that call attention to the city’s legendary urban forest that is now suffering from significant losses in its population of magnificent Gilded Age era trees.

Newport is the first city in the United States with three professionally accredited arboreta – The Newport Arboretum, The Newport Mansions Arboretum and The Arboretum at Salve Regina University.

All activities on campus and throughout the city are free. For a full slate of Newport Arboretum Week activities across the city, visit the website.

Arboretum Week Student Exposition
April 21-29
In conjunction with Newport Arboretum Week activities, Salve Regina student artists have produced related works that will be on display in a juried exhibition, “Arboretum Week Student Exposition,” in the lobby outside Hamilton Gallery. Student artists include: Maggie Parker ’19, Rachel DeLuca ’16, Taylor Mae Lovrien ’18, Katherine Lemieux ’19, Samantha See ’19, Michaela Siver ’17, Jordan Thuman ’16, Veronica Beretta ’19, Pansela Schaetzle ’16, Brooke Hammerle ’19, Ming Fen Congdon ’18 and Kayla Kishonis ’19.

Trolley Tree Tour
Saturday, April 23 from 9:30 a.m. to noon

Chris Fletcher of Bartlett Trees will lead a Trolley Tree Tour featuring many of the city’s most notable trees, including those on Salve Regina’s campus. The tour will depart at 10 a.m. from Antone Academic Center on Lawrence Avenue. Coffee and pastries will be available in the lobby outside Hamilton Gallery from 9:30 a.m. until the trolley departs. Seating is limited to 35. Please reserve a seat in advance.

Salve Regina Tree Stroll
Monday, April 25 from 2-3 p.m.

Mike Chester, Salve Regina’s superintendent of grounds, and Scott Wheeler, Newport Tree Warden and Building & Grounds supervisor for the city, will lead a walking tour of the university’s grounds and groves. No registration is required. The tour will leave from Ochre Court, Ochre Point Avenue.

Honor March
Thursday, April 28 at 4:30 p.m.

The University’s stalwart Weeping European beech located behind McKillop Library, a mature tree that is in decline, will be honored during a lighting ceremony that will feature a short speaking program and music by students under the direction of Peter Davis, chairman of the department of music, theatre and dance. Chester and Fletcher will offer remarks about the long history of this beloved campus tree, which will be followed by a procession leading past the sunken garden and to the front of Wakehurst Student Center, concluding in front of McKillop Library in the location where a new tree will be planted the following day.

Tree Planting
Friday, April 29, 1 p.m.

Members of the University’s facilities department will plant a new Weeping beech, a 7-inch caliber tree, on the grounds between McKillop Library and Wakehurst Student Center.

Arbor Day celebration at R.I. State House
Friday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Members of the Salve Regina community will join delegates representing Newport’s accredited arboreta in an Arbor Day Celebration at the Rhode Island State House. The event will feature the public launch of RhodyTrees.org, an interactive digital map hosted by the Newport Arboretum that serves as a statewide urban tree register. Festivities will include a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Rhode Island Tree Council, and recognition of Newport being the first city in the U.S. with three accredited arboreta.