RIVERSIDE, Calif. (March 31, 2015) -- About 60 California Baptist University students celebrated Arbor Day by doing their part to better the environment and their community March 28.

Organized by Facilities and Planning Services and the Environmental Science Club, the volunteers planted 10 Chinese Pistache, two Jacaranda and two Chinese Flame trees on the campus along the Magnolia entrance.

"This is God's creation and it's important we use it wisely and take care of it and tend to it," said junior Eric Lewis, an environmental science major and vice president of the Environmental Science Club.

The Arbor Day Foundation recently recognized CBU as a 2014 Tree Campus USA. The Arbor Day tree planting meets some of the requirements for CBU to apply to be named a Tree Campus USA for 2015.

"Planting trees is very important for our environment," said Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science and adviser to the science club. "If we lose our trees, we lose oxygen production, and it can contribute to global climate change."

"We are committed to planting trees," said Ed Schmachtenberger, grounds and landscaping manager. "We are trying to help the environment and encourage students and future generations to volunteer."

The volunteers worked tirelessly in the hot sun digging holes to plant the trees, but the students did not seem to mind.

"Protecting the environment is very important to me. It is where I live and thrive," said Ashley Vidaurri, a freshman psychology major. "I didn't know planting trees with my friends could be so much fun."