Clarkson University was honored with 2017 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, an Arbor Day Foundation program, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Clarkson University 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 344 campuses across the United States with this recognition.

This recognition reflects Clarkson’s commitment to the natural areas on campus. “With forest, wetland, and river ecosystems as well as landscaped areas, conserving our 640-acre Potsdam campus for education, research and recreation uses is a priority for the Clarkson and the broader community,” professor Susan Powers, Director of the Clarkson Institute for a Sustainable Environment said.

“We are always looking toward the future at Clarkson. What will our campus look like in 100 years? What kinds of trees will be the best to plant for the future? So we created a tree management plan to find that out,” professor Tom Langen, Chair of the Biology Department said.

Clarkson University is also going above and beyond to care for its current trees. “Clarkson student Michael Howard ’20, used a GIS app to map the location of every tree on the landscaped areas of campus and to record the health of each tree. This living inventory will help Clarkson carry out our tree management plan,” Alex French, Sustainability Coordinator said.

The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $48 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.