(STILLWATER, Oklahoma, Feb. 21, 2022) — The Arbor Day Foundation has again recognized Oklahoma State University for its commitment to effective urban forest management. 

 

The Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Its Tree Campus Higher Education program began in 2008 to encourage colleges and universities to plant trees on their campuses. Earlier this month, the organization named OSU to the 2021 Tree Campus Higher Education list. 

 

“Oklahoma State University and its facilities management landscape services department is extremely proud to be awarded this recognition for the 11th year running,” said OSU arborist Caitlin Gipson. “This award demonstrates OSU’s dedication to providing the community with a healthy campus forest that will leave a legacy for generations of the Cowboy family to come.”

 

The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and engaging staff and students in conservation goals. OSU achieved the distinction by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’s five standards: 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. There are currently 393 campuses across the United States with this recognition.

 

Trees on campus and in urban spaces can lower energy costs by providing shade cover, cleaner air and water, and green spaces for students and faculty. Trees also improve students' mental and cognitive health, provide an appealing aesthetic for campuses and create shaded areas for studying and gathering.

 

"Trees not only play a vital role in the environment but also in our daily lives,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Having trees on college and university campuses is a great way to show a commitment to students’ and faculty’s overall well-being.”

 

For more information about the program, visit treecampushighered.org.