Northeastern Illinois University has been honored with 2015 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
The honor was the product of collaboration between faculty members from the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, the Department of Biology, the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Finance and Administration.
“Northeastern has always been proud of its environmental stewardship and tying that commitment to lessons in the classroom,” Provost Richard J. Helldobler said. “This honor serves as a reminder of the value of these community-wide efforts.”
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. Northeastern 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 254 campuses across the United States with this recognition.
“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 has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $36.8 million in campus forest management last year.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.
