Planting Partnership, Kent State's tree sponsorship program, has made a significant upgrade on its web page that allows people from anywhere in the world to virtually visit their personal tree donations. The interactive map has taken approximately two years to complete.

Grounds Manager Heather White was inspired to create the map after working with an alum from California who had sponsored a tree in honor of the marriage of friends. White realized that the donor might never have the opportunity to see his gift, so she came up with a way, thanks to Google, for donors to "see" their living gifts from anywhere, at any time.

"We have customers from all over the country, some who have never been to the campus," White says. "Now they can see their trees in the field."

The process of photographing and determining GPS coordinates for the trees, as well as compiling the map, was completed by local consultants Knowles Municipal Forestry and Davy Institute.

Currently, the map displays 156 sponsored trees from 1998-2008. White says the listing process is ongoing, and that Planting Partnership plans to add the trees planted from 2009-2010 soon. Additionally, Planting Partnership welcomes hearing from anyone who can't find their tree located on the map, so it can be properly photographed and added.

White says that while it was a long process involving a lot of people, it was worth it so that Planting Partnership can share with people who might never be able to see their trees on campus.

For more information about the Planting Partnership and the new map, contact White at 330-672-0817 or visit the website.

By Katie Young