Members of the Alabama A&M University Environmental Science Club helped make a lasting impact on the Rocket City’s landscape during Mayor Tommy Battle’s Annual Tree Planting Day. The event, held at Brahan Spring Park in Huntsville, Alabama, brought together hundreds of volunteers from civic groups, student organizations and local families to plant trees and strengthen Huntsville’s growing urban forest.

The AAMU students joined a coalition of community partners, including members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. – Epsilon Gamma Omega Chapter, Gamma Mu Chapter and Omicron Zeta Chapter – as well as participants in the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) of Epsilon Gamma Omega Chapter and the 2025 Debutantes of Epsilon Gamma Omega Chapter, who attended with their fathers. Their collective effort reflected the spirit of collaboration that defines both Alabama A&M and the City of Huntsville’s approach to sustainability.

On Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers of all ages rolled up their sleeves to plant 350 trees throughout Brahan Spring Park. The city’s Green Team provided guidance, gloves and tools, ensuring that each tree was properly placed and cared for. In addition to the park plantings, the city distributed 500 free tree seedlings to residents eager to contribute to Huntsville’s growing canopy at home.

The trees planted – including oaks, maples, bald cypress, river birch, yellow poplar, southern magnolia, redbud, dogwood and elm – represent a carefully selected mix of native and ornamental species. Each plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems, improving air quality and reducing heat island effects in the city’s urban areas.

The event also served as an opportunity for students to apply classroom lessons in a hands-on environment. Members of the Environmental Science Club, representing majors from environmental science and management to urban and regional planning and political science, worked side by side with community volunteers, discussing the long-term environmental benefits of tree planting and conservation.

Elijah Nall, an environmental science major from Birmingham, Alabama, said the experience was both rewarding and eye-opening. “It’s amazing to see so many people come together to do something good for the environment,” he said. “Planting these trees reminded me that small actions can make a lasting impact on our city.”

For AAMU students, the event was not only about planting trees – it was about planting roots in their community. Many viewed the day as a meaningful expression of the University’s land-grant mission to serve Alabama through research, teaching and public engagement.

Cristin Williams, an environmental science and environmental management major from Harvest, Alabama, added, “Events like this show how connected we all are to the community. Knowing that the trees we planted will grow and benefit future generations makes it all worthwhile.”

(Photo from left) Elijah Nall, Endea Gant, Autumn Hawkins, Benjamin Barnett, Julia Mapp Williams, Ryan Moten, Saamiya Chisley, Cristin Williams, Dr. Elica Moss