Daemen College and the Town of Amherst have announced a major college-town partnership with the ambitious goal of planting 1 million trees across town, an initiative that has been launched with the first 22 of the new trees planted on the college’s Main Street campus. The new collaboration was officially kicked off by Daemen President Gary Olson and Amherst Supervisor Brian Kulpa at a ceremonial tree planting held on campus.

Daemen’s lead contribution to Amherst’s five-year initiative was done jointly with the college’s new “22 for 22” campaign aimed at planting 22 new mature trees on campus. The college’s tree fundraising endeavor will support the $22 million goal for the Drive to 75, the college’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, which will be completed in 2022, the year the college will celebrate its 75th anniversary.

“The college has a longstanding commitment to sustainability, and this tree planting program will not only further the college’s comprehensive campaign but it will advance Amherst’s efforts in urban forestry throughout the town,” said Olson.

Through Amherst’s efforts, the town will replant portions of parks and re-tree neighborhoods that have lost their tree canopies over the years, including along Niagara Falls Boulevard and Maple Road.

“To help make our effort a great success, we will look to the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, and Re-Tree Western New York for their leadership, guidance, and commitment to urban forestry in Amherst,” said Kulpa. “We are also calling on residents, developers, and property managers to participate in our townwide effort to re-green Amherst.”

Trees for Daemen’s “22 for 22” initiative have been planted on the front campus lawn. Donors who support the college’s tree campaign will have the opportunity to include a commemorative paver stone in honor of a family member or friend.

For more information, visit daemen.edu/22for22 or contact the Daemen Office of Institutional Advancement at 716-839-8212 or advancement@daemen.edu.