A county-wide legacy project was carried out by Lambton College Wednesday, in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
Staff and students were joined in the mud by local dignitaries for a special ceremony at Sarnia's "Point Lands" near the Sydney Smith Dock.
Fifty white birch trees were planted behind a new concrete bench and steel legacy sculpture.
College President Judith Morris told a crowd that she's proud to be part of a college that gives back to the community.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley joins Lambton College President Judy Morris for the unveiling of a legacy project. April 5, 2017 BlackburnNews.com photo by Meghan Bond
"When your grandchildren and your great grandchildren say to you, 'What are these boxes about?' you can say they talk to innovation," said Morris. "Innovation is what this community and this college is all about. Without innovation, we wouldn't be here today. Without innovation, we're not going forward. We need to be innovative to stay, to live, to grow because we are going to thrive as a college and as a community."
Mayor Mike Bradley said Lambton College is what's fueling the community's growth, direction and diversity.
"Diversity is everything to the future of this community," said Bradley. "The college is leading the way on that and for that you should be very proud. It's important to recognize, as Judy did, this is not just for today, this is something you can come back to -- over, and over and over again -- and have a good memory as we watch these trees grow and this area developing. So that, I'm very proud of."
Morris said about 1,400 students and staff were spread out across the county, working on different projects Wednesday.
Students constructed an on-site cat room at the Sarnia and District Humane Society, a meditation garden at Vision Nursing Home and worked on the Carriage House at Canatara Park.
Ten trees and a sculpture were also placed at each municipality in Lambton County.
Lambton College 50th anniversary legacy tree planting ceremony underway at the Point Lands in Sarnia. @JudithMorrisLC with remarks. #SLont pic.twitter.com/FNeUEw6pJn
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) April 5, 2017
.@mayorofsarnia thanks @LambtonCollege for 50th anniversary legacy donation at the Point Lands in Sarnia. #SLont pic.twitter.com/iAWBykYzMY— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) April 5, 2017