A student-led project to inventory Muhlenberg’s more than 700 trees while honoring the Lenape language and culture, the Hìtëkw (“tree” in Lenape) Project aims to create a way for the campus community to engage in environmental stewardship while honoring Indigenous culture.
Founders of the project, Lexy Widi ’26, Maddie Davidson ’25, and Kira Bretsky ’27, have been collaborating with the Delaware Nation and Muhlenberg College faculty and staff to design updated tree signage and create an inventory of the trees on campus that can be maintained for future generations at Muhlenberg.
Plaques created from recycled acrylic will be affixed to the trees with information that recognizes both the trees and the land on which they grow. The Hìtëkw Project team hopes to educate campus and visitors about Muhlenberg’s designation as a certified Tree Campus as well as the legacy of the Lenape people.
