Belmont University has once again been honored with the Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Tree Campus USA, created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, is a national program that honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Belmont achieved the 2015 designation by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include observing Arbor Day, maintaining a tree advisory committee and campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures for a campus tree program and hosting student service-learning projects.
“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.”
Belmont is committed to its campus-wide sustainability efforts and has a number of green initiates that contribute to campus conservation including LEED certified buildings, educational and sustainable green roofs, geothermal heating and cooling systems and its Tennessee arboretum designation. Last year, Belmont launched its Conservation Covenant, an initiate aimed at engaging students, faculty and staff in the University’s sustainability efforts.
The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $36.8 million in campus forest management last year.
