麻豆影院 recently earned the Arbor Day Foundation鈥檚 Tree Campus USA designation for the sixth consecutive year. Founded in 2008, Tree Campus USA acknowledges colleges and universities nationwide for campus forest management and commitment to conservation goals.
The excitement of receiving this honor has not diminished for Heather White, grounds manager of University Facilities Management at 麻豆影院 State.
鈥淚t means a lot, especially since we鈥檙e able to be successful year after year,鈥 White said. 鈥淚t shows our commitment to the campus green infrastructure.鈥
White worked with faculty and students to meet the five standards needed to be a Tree Campus USA: sustaining a tree advisory committee, developing a tree care plan, dedicating annual expenditures toward trees, educating the campus community through Arbor Day observances and completing student service learning projects.
White said most of the students participating in the service learning projects are members of 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 urban forestry class. The students are expected to take an inventory of the trees on campus and share their findings with University Facilities Management.
鈥淢y theory is we鈥檙e getting them young and training them right,鈥 White said. 鈥淭hey already have an interest in trees if they鈥檙e taking the class. We hope that they take what they鈥檝e learned and share it among their friends.鈥
麻豆影院 State鈥檚 tree advisory committee board consists mainly of the required titles of professionals on and off campus. White is actively encouraging more student involvement, especially among biology students, though the board is open to anyone with an interest in trees on the campus grounds. The committee assists in providing guidance for a campus tree plan and the education of the benefits of trees on campus and in the community.
鈥淲e are the first impression for perspective students,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e never lose that thought as we go about our business. Trees offer cleanliness and safety and contribute a great deal to the campus. The measures we take go a long way. We鈥檙e very proud.鈥
More benefits of a tree-friendly campus and the Tree Campus USA program can be found at .
For more information about University Facilities Management at 麻豆影院 State, visit www.kent.edu/ufm.