The University has been recognized as a Tree Campus institution for the seventh straight year. Tree Campus USA is a national program through the Arbor Day Foundation that honors colleges and universities that have a commitment to effective urban forest management and engaging staff and students in conservation goals.
With more than 1,400 trees of 116 different species, the University’s arboretum and grounds include the trees and shrubbery on the River Campus, Eastman School of Music campus, the Memorial Art Gallery, Medical Center campus, and Mt. Hope campus. The University’s Horticulture and Grounds Department—part of University Facilities and Services—oversees and cares for the collection of trees year round.
The University surpassed the Tree Campus USA program’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures toward trees, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning projects.
As only the sixth university in New York State to be a Tree Campus USA, it has been rewarding for the institution to win this award.
“It is a great honor to be once again recognized as a Tree Campus USA,” said David Nelson, Manager of Horticulture & Grounds. Despite the award, it’s less about the recognition and more about the environment. “We have an impressive, diverse collection of tree species within our campuses and we take great pride in educating our community and guests about our arboretum. Our skilled staff does an incredible job in caring for our trees and the University’s commitment in protecting them is commendable.”
To view a River Campus Tree Tour video, as well as additional resources on the University’s arboretum, visit: http://www.facilities.rochester.edu/support_ops/grounds.php.
The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees. Participating colleges and universities invested more than $26 million in campus forest management last year. The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. For more information, visit: www.arborday.org/programs/treecampususa/.
