Dick Andrus memorial | Environmental Studies

Friend of the Earth: Remembrance Day for Dick Andrus on Nov. 6

Binghamton University’s Environmental Studies Program, VINES and the Andrus family invite you to a Remembrance Day for Professor Richard “Dick” Andrus on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.

Dick Andrus was a botanist by training and came to Binghamton University in 1973 to establish its environmental studies program. Dick changed the lives and paths of many students, planting the seeds of a more sustainable world. He helped shape Binghamton’s Nature Preserve, worked to protect the environment and encouraged the local food movement in his own community, among many other accomplishments.

Event schedule

Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021

11 a.m - A remembrance service in the Pollinator Garden. Please bring your stories to share. The pollinator garden is located at the Harpur College monolith, which is just above Parking Lot C. (In case of rain, the event will be held in the Grand Corridor of the Fine Arts Building, which is just next door to the monolith / pollinator garden.) Free parking for all guests will be in Parking Lot C.
11:45 a.m - A short memorial hike in the Nature Preserve, led by Dylan Horvath, the Steward of Natural Areas. (Cars may remain in Lot C or you can drive to the Nature Preserve, which will require paying at a meter. Download and use the Flowbird app to pay for parking there. Maps to the hike will be provided at the 11am service.)
1 p.m - A gathering at the VINES Urban Farm, 16 Tudor Street in Binghamton. We will hear more stories of Dick Andrus, his work at VINES and in the community. Light food and beverages will be provided; feel free to bring a dish to pass.

Donate

Those who wish to may honor Professor Andrus’ legacy with a gift to either project below:

The Andrus Field Research Program supports upper level students working to gather data for a research project, especially an honors thesis. You can donate by going to this link or mailing a check to Binghamton University Foundation, PO Box 6005, Binghamton, NY 13902. In both cases “Andrus Field Research Program” should be indicated in the comments section of the web form or the memo space on a check.
The Dick Andrus Community Orchard will ultimately grow food for the community and serve as a nursery for fruit trees to be planted around Broome County. Dick was one of the founders of VINES and this orchard is being established on property donated by Dick and his family to VINES. You can learn more and donate at this link: https://vinesgardens.org/andrus-orchard/