Penn State Garners Recognition from Tree Campus USA

Penn State was honored with 2017 Tree Campus USA recognition as presented by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. The Tree Campus USA program was launched in 2008 to honor colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees while engaging students and staff in conservation goals.

“It is a tremendous honor to once again receive Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation,” said Bill Sitzabee, associate vice president and chief facilities officer. “The University and its faculty, staff and students take great pride in our beautiful campus and the urban forest we maintain.”

To obtain this distinction, Penn State, which has more than 17,000 trees in its canopy, 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.

“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.”

The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $48 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.