GC maintains Tree Campus USA honors

Goshen College has been honored for the third consecutive year with 2016 Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

“In 1971, during the inauguration of president J.L. Burkholder, 138 trees were planted to celebrate his arrival. Most of those trees have matured to provide part of the amazing canopy of our campus.” said Glenn Gilbert, sustainability coordinator and utilities manager. “Since then hundreds of more trees had been planted to further enhance our environment. It is good that we are able to join many other schools around the country by proudly being recognized again this year as a Tree Campus.”

Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, and sponsored by Toyota, to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Goshen College achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning project.

There are 296 Tree Campus USA schools, and Goshen College joins 9 others in Indiana. The City of Goshen was also named a “Tree City USA” 20 years ago.

“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 and Toyota have helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $46.7 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.