May 09, 2024 CSUCI receives Tree Campus USA designation for 12th consecutive year

May 9, 2024 - CSUCI was honored with 2023 Tree Campus Higher Educationrecognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

The Arbor Day Foundation is the world's largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Its Tree Campus Higher Education program began in 2008 to encourage colleges and universities to plant trees on their campuses.

Trees on campus and in urban spaces can lower energy costs by providing shade cover, cleaner air and water, and green spaces for students and faculty. In addition, trees improve students' mental and cognitive health, provide an appealing aesthetic for campuses, and create shaded areas for studying and gathering.

The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and engaging staff and students in conservation goals. CSUCI achieved the distinction by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education's five standards, including:

1. Maintaining a tree advisory committee
2. Maintaining a campus tree-care plan
3. Reserving dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program
4. Hosting an Arbor Day observance
5. Hosting a student service-learning project

Currently, there are 411 campuses across the United States with this recognition.

"CSUCI is honored to be bestowed the Tree Campus distinction for the twelfth consecutive year. We owe thanks to the university's landscaping team for continuing to prioritize proactive maintenance of the campus tree canopy and for partnering with the sustainability office to continue expanding tree coverage on campus through annual tree planting events. Having healthy trees on campus is critical to maintaining the natural beauty of this campus while also providing shade and reducing climate change," said Roxane Beigel-Coryell, Sustainability & Energy Director.

To learn more about the program, visit treecampushighered.org.

For more information contact Roxane Beigel-Coryell at [email protected].