Robert Brewer, associate professor of Biology, and Dr. Bill Seymour, CSCC president
Cleveland State Community College was honored with 2016 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
“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.”
Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Cleveland State Community 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. Currently, there are 296 campus across the United States with this recognition.
Cleveland State Community College is designated as a Level II Certified Arboretum, a certification awarded by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. This designation was made possible when the college became home to 60 different tree species. Currently, there are approximately 100 different tree species on the CSCC campus.
“Cleveland State Community College is proud to be recertified as a Tree Campus USA,” stated Dr. BillSeymour, CSCC President. “We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful campus in our community that is befitting of this award. Our continuing commitment to caring for our environment serves as a role model for our students and all community citizens.”
The Arbor Day Foundation has 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.