NATCHITOCHES - John and Sidney Evans of Natchitoches have made a donation of trees and landscape supplies to Northwestern State University to enhance the beauty of the campus.

     The donation included more than 200 trees, approximately 250 shrubs and another 300 ground cover plantings. Other donations include fertilizer and other materials and supplies to help support the plantings.

     “We are glad to contribute to Northwestern, as our local university, and help with its campus beautification efforts,” said Sidney Evans.

     The gift includes 125 live oaks, six red maples, 85 bald cypress, other hard wood trees, and ground cover plants. NSU grounds crew led by Gary Nolley, Mead Goings and Mark Weaver spent two days selecting and transporting the plantings.

     Northwestern was recently designated as a 2009 Tree Campus USA University by the Arbor Day Foundation for its dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship.

     “To meet requirements under the Tree Campus USA program, we are to develop plans to plant trees annually and in a tight budget year, this donation helps us meet our goals, said Director of Grounds and Custodial Services and Coordinator of Emergency Services Chris Sampite.