Tree Campus USA is a national program that honors colleges, universities and their leaders for promoting healthy management of their campus forests and for engaging the community in environmental stewardship. Tree Campus USA is a program of the Arbor Day Foundation.
“Tree Campuses and their students set examples for not only their student bodies but the surrounding communities showcasing how trees create a healthier environment,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Because of College of Central Florida’s participation, air will be purer, water cleaner and your students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty the trees provide.”
CF met the five core standards of tree care and community engagement in order to receive 2019 Tree Campus USA status. The standards are establishing a campus tree advisory committee; providing a campus tree-care plan; dedicating annual expenditures on the campus tree-care plan; participating in an Arbor Day observance; and instituting a service-learning project to engage students.
“We engage our students in a number of environmentally focused activities each year, and in recent years have collaborated with CF Appleton Museum of Art to include an art element in our appreciation of the environment,” said Stephen MacKenzie, CF senior professor of Environmental Sciences. “
The Arbor Day Foundation launched Tree Campus USA 12 years ago and continues to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and engaging students and staff in conservation goals. Currently, there are 385 campuses across the United States with this recognition.