Arbor Day Foundation Honors Morrisville State with 2013 Tree Campus USA® Recognition

Morrisville State was honored with 2013 Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.



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 engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Morrisville State achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA's five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee and a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and conducting a student service-learning project.



“This is a proud moment for Morrisville State College,” said Aida Khalil, associate professor in the Plant Sciences Department and member of the campus tree advisory committee. “Tree Campus USA is a national recognition for what our students, faculty and staff have been doing for years, learning about trees as they plant and care for them on our campus and in local communities.”



Students utilize Morrisville State's trees for hands-on learning experiences including pruning, climbing, identifying, inventorying, as well as planting them.



“Our trees not only provide the perfect real-world practice for our students, but also beautify the campus, help provide all students with a sense of place, and encourage use of our outdoor areas,” said Rebecca Hargrave, assistant professor in the Environmental Sciences Department and member of the campus tree advisory committee.



Members of Morrisville State's campus tree advisory committee spent months developing a campus tree-care plan which includes policies for planting, care and removal, as well as plans for tree protection and preservation. Future goals include creating a campus-wide arboretum and increasing the biodiversity of trees.



“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said John Rosenow, founder and 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.”



“Toyota is so proud to support a program that we believe has a great impact on both reducing the environmental footprint of a college campus and inspiring college students to become conservation leaders,” said Latrondra Newton, chief corporate social responsibility officer for Toyota Motor North America, Inc.



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 $26 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.