The University of Illinois has teamed up with the community to introduce a new partnership, Paper2Tree, which launches today.
Founded by Mattia Gazzola, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Paper2Tree will connect researchers in the University with members of the community and the environment by encouraging anyone who publishes a scientific paper to plant a tree in one of the participating local parks.
Trees will be associated to the publication reference, geo-localized, and visualized on a map — all data to be made publicly available, along with tree species, scientific area, and associated university department.
Paper2Tree has also partnered with the Champaign Park District, Urbana Park District, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana, Champaign and Urbana School districts, along with many university units, including the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, and others.
To celebrate the take-off of this new program, an all-day kickoff celebration will take place including educational activities with students, tree plantings in Urbana and Champaign parks, and official remarks.
The schedule goes as follows:
Kickoff Schedule:
9:00-10:30 am — Educational activities at MLK Jr. Elementary School, Urbana
10:30-11:00 am — Tree planting by Urbana Park District, with students, in King Park, Urbana
1:00-2:30 pm — Educational activities at Booker T. Washington Elementary School, Champaign
2:30-2:45 pm — Official remarks/thank you to Paper 2 Tree partners
2:45-3:00 pm — Tree planting by Champaign Park District, with students, in Douglass Park, Champaign**For more details on the day’s schedule, please email jcation@illinois.edu.