by BECKY BUSH
Intern News Reporter

As tree leaves in the High Country disappear for the winter, Appalachian State University’s Student Government Association has worked to pass an act that will increase the amount of greenery on campus.

The Evergreen Act “supports the sustainable endeavors of the Physical Plant in creating new perpetually green areas around campus,” according to the bill, and states since there is an “exceedingly lengthy winter in Boone,” the “outdoor surroundings of campus appear quite brown.”

SGA Vice President Michele D. Armstrong said SGA wants the administration to know the undergraduate student body supports them reallocating money to put towards evergreen trees.

She explained the act was to support the administration, not tell the university what or what not to do.

A pine tree stands in Durham Park. The Student Government Association recently passed the Evergreen Act to encourage the planting of more evergreen trees. Photo by Tommy Penick

It turns out different types of trees have a variety of mental effects on people living around them, and therefore, more greenery would help maintain a positive school mentality, Meisner said.

The Town of Boone is also trying to make many areas greener.

Boone Mayor Lorretta Clawson said recently the town passed a New Urban Tree Plan to make sure developers plant more trees, especially in residential areas.

“In order to survive we have to have trees,” Clawson said.

The act makes sure there is the right percentage of shrubbery in newly built areas, Clawson said.

Meisner hopes students will be affected positively by the act.

“Appalachian is one of the more beautiful campuses in the UNC system,” Meisner said. “I’m hoping to provide a more beautiful, loving place than what we already have.”

Photo by Tommy Penick

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