MSU Campus ReLeaf Project

Unless you went to school there or spend lots of time in the area, you may not have noticed that the Missouri State University campus is different than it was this time last year.

It's different landscape-wise.  The January ice storm wiped out 140 historic trees along with some bushes and shrubs.  But the Missouri State University Foundation has started a project called Campus ReLeaf.

The foundation emailed about 20,000 alumni, students and friends and so far has raised about $5,000 dollars to help pay for trees that will bring the school closer to its former glory.  Organizers want people to realize that it's a slow process, one that will primarily benefit future generations.

"We estimate it will take about $50,000 a year for three years or about $150,000 to redo.  What we need everybody to understand is that when we plant that tree it's going to take 30, 40 or 50 years for it to grow back and do what the original one did." says Don Aripoli, Interim Vice-President of University Advancement.

Click here to learn more about Campus ReLeaf or make a donation online.