All four of Troy University’s campuses in Alabama have been awarded the Tree Campus Higher Education designation by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, the Tree Campus Higher Education program recognizes colleges and universities for effective forest management on campus and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Troy University’s campuses in Troy, Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’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.
“Tree Campus Higher Education 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, which benefits current students, as well as generations of students to come, on all of our campuses. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our efforts by the Alabama Forestry Commission. The commission is a tremendous resource in our efforts to maintain a vibrant and healthy tree population on our campuses.”
Tree-planting ceremonies and activities were held at each of TROY’s Alabama campuses during 2020 as a part of the requirements of the Tree Campus Higher Education program.
According to the Alabama Forestry Commission, Troy University is one of 13 schools in the state currently recognized, while others are working to meet the Tree Campus requirements. As part of its mission, the Commissions engages in educational efforts to inform the public of the benefits of maintaining a healthy tree population and is routinely involved in activities on campuses throughout the state.
“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 Troy University’s participation, air will be purer, water cleaner and students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty trees provide.”
The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus Higher Education colleges and universities invested more than $51 million in campus forest management last year. This work directly supports the Arbor Day Foundation’s Time for Trees initiative — an unprecedented effort to plant 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspire 5 million tree planters by 2022. Last year, Tree Campus Higher Education schools have collectively planted 39,178 trees and engaged 81,535 tree planters — helping us work toward these critical goals.
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. During the last 45 years, more than 350 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. The Foundation’s vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues faced today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger. As one of the world’s largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at www.arborday.org.
