Bureau Valley begins project to diversify tree population and pay tribute to former faculty

Trees can be purchased to honor former district employees

Trees are being selected by the school district and are being removed from local forest located in the Bureau Valley District and Bureau County along with purchases made from local nurseries.

At the most recent Bureau Valley Board of Education meeting a proposal was made to add to the tree diversity on the High School property.

The proposal was approved with the understanding that financial support, the responsibility to plant and care for plantings and some current maintenance would be coordinated or provided by Dennis Thompson, a former Superintendent of District #340.

Thompson and the board expect that this effort will continue for several years.

The purpose of the project is to provide some addition trees that could broaden the teaching and research possibilities for the academic classes taught at the school, to improve the view of the campus - especially from the Route 40 side of the property - and to take advantage of the opportunity to memorialize staff members and others that have made a significant contribution to the history of the school district.

This project hopes to provide a space that not only benefits the diversity of its tree population, but also can be used to pay tribute to those who have impacted the community.

If individuals wish to contribute financially or are willing to help physically with this project they may contact Thompson directly at (815)-303-3396 or by email at dnt638@gmail.com.

If you wish to memorialize a friend or relative by having a marker placed at the base of one the new plantings, please use the same contact information and be sure to indicate in your communication that it is in regard to a Memorial.

Trees are being selected by the school district and are being removed from local forest located in the Bureau Valley District and Bureau County along with purchases made from local nurseries.

If trees are purchased they range from $100-$500 per tree and memorial markers are approximately $250 each.

If memorial markers are for a previously deceased employee of the district then part of the information on the memorial will be written by the district and the remaining space can be a personal message from the friend or family of the deceased.

If you wish to memorialize a friend or relative by having a marker placed at the base of one the new plantings, please use the same contact information and be sure to indicate in your communication that it is in regard to a Memorial.