Two NIU programs are planting a Japanese tree Monday to commemorate Earth Day.

The Community Health Program and NIU School of Allied Health Professions will sponsor activities Monday to make students more aware of Earth Day, said assistant professor Gina Piane.

“Earth Day is for environmental health, which is related to community health,” Piane said. “Earth Day is Sunday, but we decided to hold our activities on Monday to emphasize that things should continue.”

The day will begin with a noon parade in front of the Holmes Student Center, Piane said. It will proceed near Still Hall and continue to the East Lagoon, she said.

The tree will be carried in the parade to where it will be planted at the East Lagoon, Piane said.

A hybrid Japanese/Wilson elm, the tree will be planted close to the flagpole, she said. “The planting of the tree is our way of honoring Earth Day,” Piane said.

The tree was donated to NIU by the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, she said. After the planting, there will be speakers and music, she said.

One of the speakers will be Bill Oleckno, Community Health Program and Allied Health coordinator, Piane said. He will speak about the environmental impact of trees, she said.

“I want to inspire people to be more concerned about the environment. It doesn’t happen on just one day, it’s an ongoing committment,” Oleckno said.