MUNCIE, Ind.--Department of landscape architecture students are getting real-world experience at planning and organizing Ball State’s grounds.

Students help organize reports of the campus trees for the university’s master landscape plan.

This includes monitoring all the plants and trees according to their location, size, count and other aspects.

"Students organize reports to enhance natural environments for Ball State," said Ron Spangler, landscape architecture professor.

A list is created from the tree inventory, listing each plant on a three-point scale determining which species of trees and plants need to be added to the university for study.

Level one plants include species that are a high priority for teaching and offer exceptional seasonal aesthetic value. Level two plants are supplemental plants needed for teaching about growth trends in different climates and conditions. Level three plants offer diversity and help prevent plant loss.

"This project is great for students because it gives them experience in landscape architecture, technology and master planning," said Spangler.

By Jennifer Seal, Graduate Assistant