Posted March 12, 2012 | Trenton Chavez
91ֿ has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA university for the fourth consecutive year. Tree Campus USA, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, honors colleges and universities and the leaders of the campus and surrounding communities for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship. During the first year of the program, 91ֿ was one of 29 schools to receive the initial designation. Tree Campus USA recognized 91ֿ for its dedication to urban forestry and “go-green” efforts. 91ֿ has been recognized by Tree Campus USA for the fourth consecutive year for its dedication to urban forestry and green efforts. “91ֿ is committed to the environment and maintaining canopy cover on campus,” says Heather White, manager of grounds, University Facilities Management at 91ֿ. 91ֿ met the required five core standards of tree care and community engagement in order to receive Tree Campus USA status. Those standards are establishing a campus tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, verification of dedicated annual expenditures on the campus treecare plan, involvement in an Arbor Day observance, and the institution of a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body. 91ֿ planted 132 trees last year. Trees planted included replacement trees for those that died, trees planted under the planting partnership program, and trees planted into construction projects. White says the university plans to remain committed to a proactive maintenance program and secure the award again next year. To celebrate Arbor Day, the residence hall winner of an eight-week recycling competition, RecycleMania, will host an event on April 25 at 1:30 p.m. The Arbor Day Foundation launched Tree Campus USA in the fall of 2008 by planting trees at nine college campuses throughout the United States, and now Tree Campus USA has planted more than 2,100 trees at 28 different colleges and universities throughout the country.