Department of Corrections donates trees to Joplin

(From the Department of Correction)

The Missouri Department of Corrections announced today that it will donate 155 healthy trees to help with the Joplin recovery effort.

The city lost more than 15,000 trees in the EF-5 tornado that swept through the city in May 2011. In an effort to help with the recovery, volunteer offenders in the Restorative Justice Program at the Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in St. Joseph, Mo., began tending to a variety of trees in 2011 that were donated by the George White Nursery in Licking, Mo.


“After the devastation of May 2011 tornado, the governor called on all state agencies and Missourians to help in the effort of rebuilding Joplin,” said George A. Lombardi, director of the Missouri Department of Corrections. “Today, we are continuing to answer that call by donating trees that have been tended to by volunteer offenders for the past three years as a part of the department’s Restorative Justice Program.”

A donation ceremony has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23 at Cunningham Park in Joplin.

Corrections officials, along with city officials from Joplin, will be in attendance at the event.The efforts of the offenders are a part of the department's Restorative Justice Program, which encourages
offenders to reflect on the harm caused by their criminal activity and to make restoration to victims, the community and their own families. The program also teaches offenders about compassion and altruistic behavior.

The number and type of trees donated include:
 39 Oaks (Red Oak and Swamp Oak);
 31 Tulip Poplars; 27 Bald Cypresses;
 25 River Birches;
 18 Redbuds;
 10 Black Gums;
 four Flowering Dogwoods and;
 one Mulberry

For more information about the donation ceremony, contact the Lynn Onstot, Public Information Officer for the City of Joplin, at 417-624-0820.