South Bend Tribune - South Bend, Ind.

Author:	SUE LOWE
Date:	Apr 25, 2009
Start Page:	B.3
Text Word Count:	314

MISHAWAKA -- There are 40 new maple trees in Mishawaka parks that you could say are socially conscious.

They were planted Friday on Arbor Day by University of Notre Dame students who used their spring breaks to travel somewhere in the country to study social issues.

That was through the university's Center for Social Concerns.

And Cynthia Toms Smedley, director of educational immersions, said they've been thinking about ways to offset the amount of carbon produced by their travels in cars, airplanes and other forms of transportation.

They discovered that trains produce less carbon per person. And they found that trees help absorb that carbon.

Angelina Baglini, a Notre Dame sophomore and "carbon offset commissioner," said if the 40 trees live for 25 years they will offset a ton of carbon a year.

"Tree planting is not perfect (as a way to offset carbon production)," Toms Smedley said. "It's a start."

She said planting trees in the community is also another way to involve students with the community they live in while they're in school.

So, Toms Smedley and Baglini asked Rick Springer, landscape supervisor for the city of Mishawaka, how they could help.

He told them his budget for buying trees has shrunk. So, the center split the cost of the trees with the city and provided part of the labor to plant them in city parks.

"The amount of work they do helps us tremendously," Springer said.

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse provided shovels for the work. Chick-Fil-A provided lunch for the students.

And Transpo provided transportation.

Springer and Toms Smedley are hoping to be able to expand the project next year. They'd like to have more than the 40 students who participated this year.

And Springer would be pleased if the center could cover more of the cost of the trees.

Staff writer Sue Lowe: slowe@sbtinfo.com (574) 247-7758

Credit: Tribune Staff Writer

Cynthia Toms Smedley, director of educational immersions, said they've been thinking about ways to offset the amount of carbon produced by their travels in cars, airplanes and other forms of transportation.

Angelina Baglini, a Notre Dame sophomore and "carbon offset commissioner," said if the 40 trees live for 25 years they will offset a ton of carbon a year.

"Tree planting is not perfect (as a way to offset carbon production)," Toms Smedley said. "It's a start."