STLCC Horticulture Program Receives Grant from Missouri Department of Conservation

The horticulture program at St. Louis Community College-Meramec has secured a $10,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The money was awarded through the Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance grant program. TRIM grants offer cost-share funding for government agencies, schools and nonprofit groups to manage, improve or conserve trees on public lands. 

The horticulture program plans to use the money to remove invasive tree species from the STLCC-Meramec campus, located in Kirkwood, Mo. Tree removal has already started and is expected to go into February. 

“We at the Missouri Department of Conservation appreciate the opportunity to partner with the horticulture program at St. Louis Community College-Meramec to remove invasive tree species from the campus,” said Mark Gruber, community forester for MDC. “Not only will the project reduce the seed source of these problem species, but it also serves as an educational opportunity for horticulture students and community neighbors to learn about invasive species, the problems they cause and what they can do about them on their property.” 

The horticulture program plans to make the tree removal part of the classroom experience for this semester’s students. 

“Students will be very involved with this process,” said Carrie Coyne, horticulture program facilitator. “They’ll be present for the removals, allowing them to learn proper tree removal techniques, and they will assist in the planting of new, native trees to replace the invasive trees.” 

Members of the community who are interested in the process or have questions about invasive tree species should contact Jerry Pence, horticulture program coordinator, at 314-984-7374.