Fresno State celebrated Earth Day on April 22, by partnering with the City of Fresno, Mayor Jerry Dyer and District 4 Councilmember Tyler Maxwell to plant trees along Barstow Avenue in front of Valley Children’s Stadium.

The tree planting began at 11:30 a.m. and lasted until noon. Fifteen Fresno State football players and Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval helped plant around 10 trees with Dyer, Maxwell and contractors from West Coast Arborists.

“I used to walk through these flower beds as a kid for the [football games],” said Camryn Bracha, defensive back for the Fresno State football team. “It’s really cool to be here, I’ve always loved playing here and giving back to the fans who show up every Saturday.”

A total of 162 trees will be planted on Barstow Avenue, stretching from Cedar Avenue to Angus Street by May. Before the tree-planting project, 39 trees were removed on Barstow Avenue because they were continuously cut down to avoid power lines.

“It beautifies our neighborhood, but at the same time, it also brings the community together with a football team out here,” Jiménez-Sandoval said. “I think it’s great that they’re helping with this, and it’s a sign of faith for the future.”

The tree-planting project is a part of Dyer’s “Beautify Fresno” mission, which promotes clean neighborhoods, streets and highways across Fresno.

“It’s important for the people that live here, it’s important for the athletes that play here at Fresno State,” Dyer said. “We want to make sure that we’re good partners with them and beautify the area surrounding Fresno State.”

Maxwell, Fresno State’s district councilmember, shared the importance of beautifying the area surrounding Fresno State.

“From the time I was born in the 90s to now, we kind of saw central Fresno get left behind in terms of infrastructure and beautification,” Maxwell said. “A lot of people travel from around Fresno County to attend school here. They pay a lot of money to get an education here. We want it to be a good experience.”

The total budget for the project is $300,000; $200,000 is coming from Measure P and $100,000 is provided by the American Rescue Plan Act that Congress passed in 2021, according to Fresno City Public Works Director Scott Mozier.

Mozier also explains the benefits of the tree-planting project in Fresno.

“It has tremendous benefits, like [improving air quality] and having a shade canopy reducing the amount of heat coming off the asphalt and concrete,” Mozier said. “There are also economic benefits [because] an attractive canopy of trees increases property values and the desirability of living in the community.”

The event concluded with the football team, Dyer, Maxwell, Jiménez-Sandoval and the West Coast Arborist contractors taking a group photo in front of Valley Children’s Stadium.

“Anybody that’s ever gone to Fresno State can attest to how much quality education you can receive there and our [quality] athletic program,” Dyer said. “We want to do our part to beautify this area.”