Northeast College of Health Sciences has expanded its long-term afforestation efforts with the dedication of a new Memorial Grove, marking a profound investment in both environmental and community well-being.
Situated on the college’s Seneca Falls, New York, campus, the Memorial Grove is part of the ongoing Northeast College afforestation project, which serves as a growing model of ecological restoration, a Northeast College press release noted. Established to honor the legacies of those who have impacted our lives and are no longer with us, the Northeast College Memorial Grove is intended to be a space for reflection.
The Memorial Grove welcomes the community with scenic walking paths and trails that lead through a living tribute of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by Northeast’s original Walkway of Honor bricks—each once engraved to commemorate a donor’s gift and honor a loved one or milestone. These bricks now form a gateway that celebrates enduring legacies and the spirit of giving.
Beyond the entrance, the grove’s winding trails invite peaceful strolls and quiet reflection in a natural sanctuary. “These pathways and plants are the college’s gift to the community,” said Northeast College President Michael Mestan, DC. “Northeast College’s Memorial Grove symbolizes not just remembrance but renewal, growth and a strong commitment to the long-term health of our community and environment.”
Northeast College partners with local expert for environmental transformation
Dedicated to being good neighbors and providing spaces that encourage meaningful experiences for both the college and broader community, Northeast hopes the Memorial Groves’ winding path offers a place for visitors to experience the tranquil beauty of nature. Jim Engel, owner of White Oak Nursery in Canandaigua, New York, has helped the College realize its vision and since 2021 has propagated and planted the many different trees, plants and wildflowers making up the new afforested area.
Investing in the planet
Even before the afforestation project and the Memorial Grove, the college’s 2018 Grow Zone initiative dedicated 45 additional acres of land to the natural growth of native flora and fauna. In addition to enhancing biodiversity, the college’s efforts have drastically reduced its carbon footprint, saving more than 1,000 gallons of fuel annually and eliminating the need for over 14 hours of weekly mowing.
“As local and global citizens, we must be good stewards,” said Mestan. “Our proactive steps—from afforestation to the new memorial and walking spaces—are shaping a more sustainable, more compassionate world.”
