by Karlie Gerlach | WCREEC Communications Specialist
Lincoln, Neb. —When visiting North Platte, the Golden Spike Tower or the Buffalo Bill State Historic Park might be at the top of the list. Yet, for some North Platte natives like Jennifer Robinson, Tree Lane Road might be the only destination in mind.
Many of Robinson’s fondest memories growing up are tied to Tree Lane Road: Cross country practice. Traveling to church. And capturing key moments with pictures. After finding her love for Tree Lane Road at an early age, Robinson is now giving back with the donation of a tree.
“Tree Lane Road is a beautiful place, and it has brought me a lot of joy,” Robinson said.
Now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, as a yoga instructor and studio manager, Robinson takes every opportunity to visit Tree Lane Road when she returns home.
With every visit, Robinson noticed the condition of the hackberry trees that were established in the early 1920s after the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC) opened in 1904. Robinson regularly received updates from family on the state of the trees and any weather events that may have impacted them.
The timing of Robinson’s donation coincidently comes after a recent storm damaged many trees at the research center and by Tree Lane Road. Due to the storm, six trees along Tree Lane Road were cut down for safety reasons while others were trimmed.
North Platte native donates tree to Tree Lane Road
“The donation was timely because we had space for about five new trees to go in and were able to balance out the loss and damage of the road” facilities manager, Bob Skates said.
No matter how many cities or countries Robinson has lived in, she has considered North Platte to be home. When asked by her partner, Jaye Budd, what she wanted for Christmas, she knew that she wanted to help Tree Lane Road, a key part of what makes North Platte home for her.
“Someone did something for you before you were alive that makes your life easier today, or adds beauty to the way you live,” Robinson said. "It is not a large amount of money to buy a tree, to do something, to give beauty to someone in the future. That is just a way to pay it forward.”
Robinson’s ties to Tree Lane Road are a clear example of how the University of Nebraska–Lincoln creates opportunities for communities to connect, whether that be through local programs, Nebraska Extension, or a place that brings community members together.
When thinking of the direct impact Tree Lane Road has had on the community of North Platte, Robinson sees it as a place to experience nature, connect with others, and capture memories.
Robinson hopes that others who have been touched by or enjoyed Tree Lane Road will follow in her footsteps and choose to donate a tree themselves.
“Someone planted those trees and did something for a future generation,” she said. “It is connecting to the past, to the present and by planting and adding more trees to keep it alive, we are connecting to future generations."