Michigan State University has long been known for the natural beauty of its campus.  Yet that beauty is not accidental--it is the result of the vision, planning, and environmental concerns of those who came before us.

In 1872, Professor William J. Beal began planting the campus arboretum, much of which is still used today for teaching and recreation.   Thirty years later, Professor Ernest E. Bogue planted trees along the Red Cedar River north of what is now the International Center.  That effort had a significant impact on the aesthetic quality of the river, creating a stand of trees that many people assume are native.  Indeed, early photographs of some of the most historic buildings on campus show no trees or plants around them.  It was a purposeful investment by our predecessors in the future of the campus that resulted in the beauty we recognize and enjoy today.

It is now our challenge to continue this stewardship of MSU's natural resources for generations to come. You have an opportunity to make history by contributing to the Campus Beautification project which will plant up to 1,800 new trees on south campus.  Through their maturation, these plantings will make south campus as beautiful as the north.  When completed, Campus Beautification "Planting Tomorrow's Heritage Today" will create a legacy of our own for those who follow us.

For more information regarding this project, contact Campus Planning and Administration at 517-355-9582.

To make an immediate gift or pledge on-line to Campus Beautification, please go to www.givingto.msu.edu.

Watch Your Investment Grow--Literally