It takes a community to build a tree-friendly campus.
For the fifth year in a row, the Arbor Day Foundation has named this university a Tree Campus USA – a distinction that recognizes efforts to engage students and staff members in maintaining the campus’ plant life. This university is one of 29 original Tree Campus USA recipients that have met the program’s requirements for the last five years and is currently home to more than 11,000 plants, according to a recent inventory.
Along with beautifying the campus, the trees create a canopy that slows down rain, restore rain water and remove pollutants from plants. The university’s arboretum and horticultural services department also recycles some of the organic debris and wood from the trees, according assistant director Karen Petroff.
Petroff said her staff is constantly looking to add to the campus landscape and create a more inviting outdoor space where people can come together.
“Many times people are running back and forth, traveling between meetings,” she said. “We are hoping you’ll meet in the middle and choose to sit outside.”
To educate the campus community about the arboretum, staff members host tours, talks and a few university courses, including the two-part PLSC253 and 254: Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscape, which Petroff teaches. The department also holds service events with volunteers from numerous student groups, including the Alpha Phi Omega Service fraternity, CIVICUS living-learning program and LGBT studies department.
Sophomore psychology major Sree Sinh, who serves as a campus tour guide, said she is proud to brag about the campus’ tree-friendly atmosphere to her tour groups.
“I always make it a point to highlight to fellow and prospective students that our campus is an arboretum and botanical garden, and Arbor Day’s recognition of that highlights our successes,” she said.
Junior criminal justice major Michelle Stock said this was one of the things that most attracted her to this university while she was still touring prospective campuses.
“The ‘green’ feel and sustainability work drew me in,” she said.
Other students said they enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere the trees create on the campus.
“I feel happy and comfortable leaving class and looking at all the beautiful scenery,” public policy graduate student Jean Yuan said.
Petroff said she is confident the campus community will maintain its Tree Campus USA distinction and remain engaged in keeping the campus green.
“I am always overwhelmed by student response and how interested they are,” Petroff said. “They love to be a part of [sustainability]. There’s no doubt our campus will continue the passion in the future.”
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