Remember that guy, Andy Bachmann, who used to spend too much time around UCG? We do too, and he visited on Sunday morning of February 11 to participate in a tree dedication ceremony. Due to the sensitive nature of the tree and the pollinator plants around it, the ceremony was limited to word of mouth, and about 20 people showed up.

Andy said he was honored to have a tree planted in his honor, and he hoped that it would outlive all of us. He also recalled looking out the Sanctuary windows as a form of meditation, and he was pleased that this tree and group of plants could become part of that view. The tree is visible from the windows in the Sanctuary’s southeast corner.

The native plants were donated by Larry Alsobrook, who formally owned a native plant nursery. They include about 25 small pollinator plants around a flatwood plum tree that was planted in January. This timing should help the tree to become established and to flower soon. Supporting Larry with the planting was Erick Smith, who helped to coordinate this effort with the UCG Re-Mod Squad.

A highlight of the intimate ceremony was a game of plant identification. Larry provided labels on sticks for each plant and a diagram to help us find them. Each person attending had a chance to learn a plant’s name and to place a label next to it. We also placed painted rocks that had been unearthed from this location when Larry and Erick conducted the planting. (Click photo for caption.)