In early April, Johnson Engineering team members participated in FGCU’s Earth Day Celebration. The celebration was a partnership between Tree Campus USA committee members, FGCU, Johnson Engineering and the Division of Forestry. FGCU is one of three schools in Florida recognized as a Tree Campus USA school. Our team collaborated with students and staff to help plant 100 littoral trees throughout the campus wetlands. Working closely with the University, our environmental and landscape architecture team was able to recommend planting locations, select the most appropriate planting materials, and provide exhibits to help educate students on the importance of littoral shelves and the carbon sequestration benefits of these trees on campus.

Our team also participated in Arbor Day activities at Depot Park in Bonita Springs, celebrating the designation of the City of Bonita Springs as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Johnson Engineering Landscape Architect, Steve Trudnak, who sits on the City of Bonita Spring Tree Advisory Board, was onsite throughout the event providing environmentally friendly advice and sharing expertise about the Live Oak trees that were available to the public from the Division of Forestry.

As a member of the Friends of Bonita Nature Place, Steve Trudnak also assisted with the grand opening of the 45-acre Bonita Nature Place in Bonita Springs. He helped with the day’s events, classes, and exhibits. Johnson Engineering ecologists’ knowledge of the site’s environmental features was useful for creating the educational displays on endangered species and gopher tortoises found on site. The site was originally a 10-acre City owned parcel, which grew to approximately 45 acres with the addition of 35 acres deeded to the City by the South Florida Water Management District. The facility includes bee and bat houses, butterfly garden, and various other displays and exhibits, designed to educate children about our unique natural landscape.