The second Conroe 360 class is undertaking a beautification project to maintain the balance of rapid development and the natural assets of the area. The Conroe 360 program was first organized in 2013 to help city employees learn about operations with other city departments and to contribute a community project. The Conroe 360 class was created in the mold of Leadership Montgomery County, but the program is scaled down to focus on the city of Conroe. “[The program] helps participants remember the perspective of serving the community as a city of Conroe employee from other departments,” said Sherry Morgan, tourism coordinator for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have people working different shifts and work hours, but I think everybody has done the very best that they can to contribute in ways that are indicative of their own expertise.” This year Conroe 360 class members are working to plant 260 trees in medians near the I-45 and south Loop 336 intersection. Project Coordinator Amber Blevins said the class wanted to plant trees to maintain the natural assets of the corridor that is experiencing rapid development. “We thought of the area because Johnson Development is bringing the 2,046-acre Grand Central Park development there and it is going be a high traffic area, so it is a great place to beautify,” Blevins said. The class will be planting Loblolly Pines and Shumard Oaks on June 6. Burditt Consultants Landscape Architect Eric Maurer said the trees were selected because of their durability and compliance with city of Conroe and Texas Department of Transportation regulations. Burditt Consultants donated landscaping plans to the Conroe 360 class. “Loblolly Pines can grow very quickly and stay established very well,” Maurer said. “Shumard Oaks are native and will adapt well for hundreds of years as long as they are allowed to stay there.” While the project seems simple, the class partnered with numerous groups, organizations and city departments to plan the project, acquire trees and equipment and plant the trees. “It might seem like a simple project—planting trees—but there is irrigation and drip and so many complexities carrying the plan out into fruition,” Morgan said. While the class purchased 360 trees, only 260 of them will be planted at the intersection. The remaining trees will be stored by the Parks and Recreation department and used to replace any trees that die after being planted at the intersection. Any unused trees will then be planted elsewhere in the city.