U-M’s dedication to environmental stewardship on its campus has resulted in it being named a 2009 Tree Campus USA institution by the Arbor Day Foundation.
In a letter to President Mary Sue Coleman, foundation Chief Executive John Rosenow cites the university’s formation of a Campus Tree Advisory Committee, dedicated expenditures toward a Campus Tree Care Plan and student involvement in an Arbor Day observance and service-learning program last year.
“This is an accomplishment that shows your true dedication to environmental stewardship on campus and assures your students and administration greater opportunities than they may yet realize,” Rosenow writes.
The Tree Campus program has been in place for two years and this is U-M’s second such designation, says Marvin Pettway, supervisor of forestry and horticulture. The university was the first campus to be so honored by the Arbor Day Foundation.
He credited members of the North Campus residential community and Kenn Rapp, university landscape architect, for their contributions toward U-M being named a Tree Campus USA institution. Specifically, the Northwood 4 Landscape Renovation Project exemplifies the ideals set out by the foundation, Pettway says.
The Tree Campus USA program is a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota Motor North America Inc. It recognizes college campuses and community leaders “for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship.”
