All four of Troy University’s campuses in Alabama have been awarded the Tree Campus USA® designation by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, the Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for effective forest management on campus and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Troy University achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project. Currently there are 364 campuses across the United States with this recognition.
“The Tree Campus USA recognizes the University’s initiatives such as planting trees, conservation and sustainability awareness efforts, as well as campus and community beautification,” said Mark Salmon, physical plant director. “It is a reflection of our care and attention to planting and maintaining a healthy tree population on all of our campuses.”
Tree-planting ceremonies and activities were held at each of TROY’s Alabama campuses during 2018 as a part of the requirements of the Tree Campus USA program.
The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $51 million in campus forest management last year.
“Tree Campuses and their students set examples for not only their student bodies but the surrounding communities showcasing how trees create a healthier environment,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Because of your school’s participation air will be purer, water cleaner and your students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty the trees provide.”
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member, nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information about the program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.
