The Tree Campus USA Program at UAM |
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CAPTION: Deputy State Forester Larry Nance (left) and Commissioner Jerry Davis (right) of the Arkansas Forestry Commission present, on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation, the Tree Campus USA plaque to UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter on April 15, 2011. UAM received the Tree Campus USA recognition for meeting the program’s standards for the year 2010.
Contact: Mr. Jay Jones,
Chair, UAM Campus Tree Board The University of Arkansas at Monticello has achieved Tree Campus USA status each year since 2010. The Tree Campus USA program is an initiative to foster the development of the next generation of tree stewards. The program is designed to award national recognition to college campuses and the leaders of their surrounding communities for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship. Since the program’s inception in 2008, more than 190 college and university campuses have reached Tree Campus USA status nationally. UAM is one of the two Tree Campus USA awardees in Arkansas along with the University of Arkansas – Ft. Smith. UAM joins the City of Monticello as being recognized for having an urban forestry and tree care program. Monticello has been a Tree City USA since 2008. Both the Tree Campus USA and Tree City USA programs are sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. The national Tree City USA program began as a 1976 Bicentennial project, and has recognized urban and community forestry programs in more than 3400 communities. UAM Campus Tree Facts:
Number of trees on main campus: 960
Visit the UAM Arboretum, behind the Math & Science Center, where many of the trees have been labeled with name tags. Five standards must be met annually in order to become/continue as a Tree Campus USA: 1) Tree Board – made up of campus representatives – administration, Physical Plant, faculty, students, etc. The UAM Campus Tree Board currently has 10 members, who meet every 2-3 months to discuss campus tree planting and tree care issues.
2) Tree Care Plan
– provides guidelines for proper tree planting, tree care, tree
protection 3) Student service project – usually a tree planting, tree care, or educational project related to trees (see Tree Campus photos) 4) Tree care expenditures equivalent to $3 per student UAM enrollment is about 3500 students, expenditures total at least $10,500 each year for tree planting, pruning, and other tree care. 5) Arbor Day Observance. The annual Arbor Day celebration brings together campus representatives for comments about the importance and benefits of trees and a ceremonial tree planting. (see Tree Campus photos) Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 in Nebraska, it is celebrated throughout the nation and world. Arbor Day in Arkansas is usually celebrated on the third Monday in March, but Arbor Day can be celebrated any day of the year by planting a tree and taking good care of it. Trees Provide Us With Many Benefits Everyday: Trees |
