RICHLAND – WSU Tri-Cities is participating in this week’s WSU-wide annual Cougar Pride Days with a landscaping project on Friday, April 10.
Cougar Pride Day is a time when students, faculty, staff, alumni and community volunteers come together on a project that improves the campus. This year’s project is to reposition and supplement the plants in the courtyard area between the entrances to the West and East buildings, near the flagpole.
About 40 volunteers are signed up to work in two-hour shifts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain, shine or wind. They will be digging holes, planting shrubs and perennials, and hauling and spreading “black velvet” basalt rock as a groundcover. People interested in volunteering or donating additional trees or plants to the campus should call Ann Philip at 372-7394.
The landscape design was donated by Nathan Larsen with Heritage Professional Landscaping in Kennewick. Larsen is a recent graduate of WSU’s landscape architecture program, and Heritage business owner Randy Mendenhall is a WSU alumnus.
Heritage Nursery & Garden Center in Kennewick and Beaver Bark in Richland contributed toward the plants and rocks needed for the project. The design calls for the re-use of most of the plants and shrubs that were removed from the courtyard.
“Our Development Office worked hard to acquire donations, making this project a possibility during tough economic times,” said Lori Selby, vice chancellor for finance and administration, which includes overseeing the Facilities Department. “In addition to Heritage and Beaver Bark, we appreciate the WSU alumni, faculty, staff and students who are volunteering their labor to bring some color and new life to this section of campus.”
This university-wide event has historic roots dating back to the early part of the 20th century. Originally called “Campus Days,” it was a time when trees were planted, sidewalks were built and the appearance of the Pullman campus was improved. It helped establish school spirit and Cougar pride.
