Capital University was honored recently with 2020 Tree Campus Higher Education® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Capital achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’s five standards: maintaining a tree advisory committee; having a campus tree-care plan; dedicating annual expenditures for its campus tree program; observing Arbor Day; and developing a student service-learning project.
“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 Capital University’s participation, air will be purer, water cleaner and students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty trees provide.”
This is the University’s fourth award recognizing its efforts in building a greener campus! We are currently working on making our campus an arboretum, and are using the ArborScope, provided by Bartlett Tree Experts, to create a web-based inventory of all of the trees we have on campus. This inventory enables us to view the trees on Google Maps, and procure information about each tree, or multiple trees at a time. This helps us manage our trees efficiently and provide them with effective care. As we plant more trees in our community, we will be able to provide them with efficient and specialized care.
Studies have shown that a sense of connectedness to nature can improve students’ academic performance by enhancing attention, self-discipline, and inciting a love for learning. We are so happy to foster not only a green environment, but a happier and conducive learning environment for our students. With this recognition, we are now further motivated to build our green campus with your support!