User:Dgiovag/sandbox/Illinois State University Quad

Illinois State University

The Illinois State University quad is apart of Fell Arboretum which was granted the title of arboretum in 1955 because of its impressive tree and plant collection. Fell Arboretum is titled afterJesse Fell. The arboretum is 490-acre site and consists of over 1000 trees with tree tags to identify the trees on campus. . The quad has also been recognized by Tree campus USA. The quad is frequently used to host various events for the community and is a scenic passage way from class to class for students.

History
Illinois States quad use to be a plain plot of land. Then Jesse Fell, cofounder of the Illinois State Normal University, had a vision. Jesse Fell wanted to plant every tree type that would grow in central Illinois on campus. In 1867, the state legislation generously granted Jesse Fell with $3000 for campus landscaping. With this money fell planted 1,847 trees between 1867 and 1868. After Jesse Fells death, the university kept working on his vision. In 1995 the university successfully became an arboretum after applying for the title. Now the quad is a part of an arboretum where studies of botany can take place.

Awards
Illinois State applied for the official title of an arboretum in 1995 and were granted the title. The university also applied for and were given recognition from Campus Tree USA in 2008, which is Promoted by Toyota and The Arbor Day Foundation. To maintain the Tree Campus USA status, Illinois State Hosts annual Arbor Day and Earth Day events in the Fell Arboretum. .

Events
Illinois state university’s quad hosts numerous events, some even for the public. Illinois State host’s events pertaining to its arboretum status such as the Tree walk and plant sale. Jesse Fell started the Plant sale in 1870 and the event still takes place in the quad today where people can purchase hard to find plants. Tree walks hosted by Illinois State last about an hour and are allow you to see more into the details of the trees on campus. . Then there is events for students like Festival ISU and capture the flag, which encourage students to get involved on campus and meet new friends.