PLU named a 2011 Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation has named PLU a 2011 Tree Campus USA in honor of its commitment to effective community forestry management. This is the second year that PLU has been recognized.

PLU achieved the designation by meeting the required five core standards for sustainable campus forestry: a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.

“Students throughout the country are passionate about sustainability and community improvement, which makes Pacific Lutheran’s emphasis on well-maintained and healthy trees so important,” said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “By achieving Tree Campus USA recognition, Pacific Lutheran University will continue to set an example for other colleges and universities and give students a chance to give back to both their campus community and the community at-large.”

Tree Campus USA, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, honors colleges and university and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conversation. Tree Campus USA is supported by a generous grant from Toyota.

During 2011, the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota helped campuses throughout the country plant 30,000 trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities have invested more than $22 million in campus forest management.