IU honored with Tree Campus USA title

IU has been known for its tree-filled campus for many years, but a new honor from the Arbor Day Foundation called Tree Campus USA has made this reputation official.

One of the two Tree Campuses in Indiana, the University will be honored in late April and will receive a $750,000 grant from Toyota to go toward IU’s program.

Former University President Herman B Wells led the University in creating a policy regarding trees.

“When you think about it, it’s just right that we’re in the first class of Tree Campus USA,” said Burnell Fischer, director of undergraduate programs for the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. “We’re still carrying on the legacy of Herman Wells.”

To become a Tree Campus, schools must establish a committee to address the trees on campus, have a plan related to the trees, have a tree-related service learning project and hold an Arbor Day celebration.

The Arbor Day Foundation announced the program this past summer. Other schools named include Virginia Tech and University of California-San Diego. Schools must reapply every year, and new schools can apply each time.

All Tree Campus USA candidates must have a committee of students, faculty, facility workers and community members. It will oversee the program and its events, give advice about the care of the campus’ trees and create more service-learning projects.

There will be a large tree-planting event in late April to celebrate the Tree Campus USA honor and Arbor Day.

“We’re already reaching out to several student organizations for the Arbor Day event,” Fischer said.