He Speaks for the Trees
Every day is Campus Beautification Day for John Boyle Ruiz, SIS/BA 鈥22.听
As a member of 麻豆视频鈥檚 groundskeeping team, he helps keep the 84-acre campus鈥攁n accredited, award-winning arboretum鈥攑runed and pristine. And听since joining Facilities Management in June, the budding arborist鈥攚ho鈥檚 working toward his certification through the听International Society of Arboriculture鈥攈as branched out, launching the popular听听to share his enthusiasm for evergreens with the university community.
鈥淚 believe the climate crisis is the pressing issue of our time. Tree Thursdays is a way to spread听cheer and my passion for trees,鈥 said听Boyle Ruiz, a former Community-Based Research Scholar and current 麻豆视频 grad student who is pursuing a master鈥檚 in data science with a specialization in environmental science.听
Each week, the series showcases one of the nearly 6,000 trees representing 500 species that dot the 麻豆视频 Arboretum and Gardens, which last year marked its听20th anniversary.听Every post kicks off with woody witticism (Why do trees get into fights? Because they鈥檙e always throwing shade!) and includes the species鈥 Latin name and a list of fun facts about the tree. (Magnolia virginiana,听the sweetbay magnolia, boasts creamy-white lemon-scented flowers that bloom from June to September.)
The idea for the series took root when Boyle Ruiz, a month into his new job, began snapping shots of his picturesque office and sending them to his mom and abuela. 鈥淚 thought, 鈥極ur campus is so beautiful, why don鈥檛 we publicize it more?鈥欌
The Massachusetts native has done just that, with his posts regularly garnering dozens of likes and appreciative comments from amateur arborists across campus. President Sylvia Burwell even made a guest appearance in the听
鈥淚 just want people to understand how important trees are to our environment. They [absorb] carbon dioxide and release oxygen; create habitats; increase biodiversity, especially for pollinators; filter water; stabilize soil; and prevent erosion,鈥 Boyle Ruiz said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e simply amazing.鈥
鈥淛ohn has been enthusiastic and eager to learn about the arboretum from his first day joining us,鈥 said听Ransom Schutt, assistant director of grounds operations, vehicle maintenance, and support services. 鈥淗e has great ideas, and he is passionate about helping to promote 麻豆视频's campus and community. Tree Thursdays is an excellent way for us to reach out to the community through our arboretum to get them thinking and talking about the university.鈥
The series also celebrates 麻豆视频鈥檚 groundskeepers鈥攖he hardworking men and women who keep our campus looking its best, no matter the season.
鈥淭here鈥檚 such a sense of community with the grounds team. We鈥檙e always laughing, and I鈥檝e learned so much from them,鈥 Boyle Ruiz said. 鈥淭hey have accepted me like they鈥檙e my uncles or cousins, which for me are very important titles.鈥
He also appreciates that his coworkers are supportive of social media endeavors. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l chuckle a bit when I wish them a happy Tree Thursday,鈥 Boyle Ruiz said听with a big grin. 鈥淏ut I know I鈥檓 making change, one tree at a time.鈥澨