University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry student organization held an Earth Day project. As part of the project, the group sold trees leading up to Earth Day and then spent April 22 planting them. Pictured are members of the club preparing to plant the trees including (l to r) Alanna G. McCafferty, volunteer Ben Hall, Tia L. Hall and Kathryn Hernandez-Roeder. The group sold 50 trees that were planted near the university’s Liberty Par

University of Houston-Clear Lake students combined their interest in the environment with their fundraising needs this spring by hosting an Earth Day Project. The student group, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, sold approximately 50 trees to fellow students, faculty and friends to raise money for their organization’s annual meeting to be held in Louisiana later this year.

“We have sold our trees to friends, family, student organizations and individuals who care about the environment and the importance of trees,” says UH-Clear Lake SETAC Vice-President Tia Hall.

Hall adds that the idea began simply as an Earth Day Project and eventually evolved into a fundraising project for the spring semester. They sold the oak tree saplings for $20 a piece.

“Having trees on the Earth is important and they provide many useful functions that benefit all species,” explains Hall, who with husband/volunteer Ben Hall, SETAC President Kathryn Hernandez-Roeder and Treasurer Alanna McCafferty planted the trees on April 22.

The student group worked closely with the university’s Facilities, Maintenance and Construction department to identify the best places to plant the tree saplings. They were planted along the forest tree line throughout the campus.

“They look like very small trees right now, but we are committed to taking care of the trees until they take hold,” says Hall.

For more information about UH-Clear Lake’s SETAC, visit the Web site, http://www.uhcl.edu/studentorgs/setac.