UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has been honored with 2018 Tree Campus USA recognition as presented by the Arbor Day Foundation for its continued commitment to effective urban forest management. The Tree Campus USA program was launched in 2008 and honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation,” said Bill Sitzabee, associate vice president and chief facilities officer. “Our urban forest canopy is made up of more than 17,000 trees, and our campus community takes great pride in our beautiful campus.”
To obtain this distinction, Penn State had to meet five core standards for effective campus forest management: maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, Arbor Day observance, and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.
“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 a school’s participation, air will be purer, water cleaner, and students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty the trees provide.”
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. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA. To learn more about the University Park canopy, visit http://lorax.opp.psu.edu.