The Tree Campus USA program recognizes college and university campuses that: effectively manage their campus trees; develop connectivity with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy, urban forests; and strive to engage their student population utilizing service learning opportunities centered on campus, and community forestry efforts.
Colleges and universities across the United States can be recognized as a Tree Campus USA college by meeting five standards developed to promote healthy trees and student involvement.
* Standard 1 — Campus Tree Advisory Committee. A Campus Tree Advisory Committee comprised of members representing the diverse audience of those with a stake in campus trees is established and meets regularly. This committee must include a representative from each of the following audience: student (undergraduate or graduate), faculty, facility management, and community (for example — city forester, municipal arborist, community tree board member).
* Standard 2 — Campus Tree Care Plan. A Campus Tree Care Plan should be flexible enough to fit the needs and circumstances of the particular campus. The Tree Care Plan should be goal oriented and provide the opportunity to set good policy and clear guidance for planting, maintaining, and removing trees. It also provides education to the campus community, citizens, contractors, and consultants about the importance of the campus forest and the protection and maintenance of trees as part of the growth and land development process.
* Standard 3 — Campus Tree Program with Dedicated Annual Expenditures. A college campus, to be designated a Tree Campus USA, must allocate finances for its annual campus tree program. Evidence should be shown that an annual work plan has been established and expenditures dedicated towards that work plan.
* Standard 4 — Arbor Day Observance. An Arbor Day observance provides a golden opportunity to educate the campus community to the benefits of the trees on their campus property and in the community. The Arbor Day observance can be on the campus or held in conjunction with the community where the campus is located. Your event may be held at an appropriate time for your campus.
* Standard 5 — Service Learning Project. The Service Learning Project should be an outreach of the spirit of the Tree Campus USA initiative. This project should provide an opportunity to engage the student population with projects related to trees and can be part of a campus or community initiative. The project must be done within the course of the year application is submitted.
How does my campus benefit?
Your campus can benefit in a number of ways. We know that trees benefit the environment. They provide shade, protect us from the wind, clean our air, etc. A commitment to trees on your campus can, in turn, significantly reduce the amount of energy a campus, and community, needs to generate. Planting, and maintaining, trees on your campus and in the community reduces carbon dioxide in the atmosphere — which is one of the important roles that trees play. Green spaces also give students and faculty the setting to relax with others, or on their own. What better way to study or take a break than by being outside.
By meeting the annual standards and being recognized as a Tree Campus USA college, you will create a campus that not only benefits the environment but instills pride in the students, faculty, and community. Tree Campus USA colleges will receive recognition materials that can be showcased throughout the campus, as well as press releases to be distributed on campus and in the community.
To get your school involved, forward Tree Campus USA program information to your campus administration or facilities management and tell them you want to be part of a Tree Campus USA college. If you are a campus administrator, click here start your Tree Campus USA application process.
Your college campus can receive annual Tree Campus USA recognition by meeting five standards. Campuses meeting these standards will receive recognition materials to showcase their dedication to the campus environment.
The standards should be completed, and application submitted, by December 31 to be recognized as a Tree Campus USA college for that calendar year.
Deadline: December 31, 2009
Inaugural Tree Campus USA Class of 2008 is listed below:
# Arizona State University
# Georgia Tech
# Jackson State University
# Northern Kentucky University
# Oregon State University
# University of California, San Diego
# University of Michigan
# University of Nebraska, Lincoln
# University of Texas, Austin
# Virginia Tech
# California State University, Fresno
# Creighton University
# Duke University
# Illinois State University
# Horizontal Tree Indiana State University
# Indiana University Bloomington
# Kent State University
# Nebraska Wesleyan University
# Western Michigan University
# Albany Technical College
# Furman University
# Gwinnett Technical College
# Macon State College
# Northland College
# Southeastern (NC) Community College
# University of California, Davis
# University of Maryland
# University of North Texas
# University of South Carolina Upstate
