NWTC is honored to receive the 2021 Tree Campus Higher Education recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. The College’s Environmental Climate Stewardship Committee’s (ECS) Natural Land Use task force has been working to create practices that ensure the proper care and use of NWTC’s land. This designation shows that their hard work, dedication, and commitment to stewarding campus resources (in this case, trees) are paying off.
What is the Tree Campus Higher Education Program?
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.
The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and engaging staff and students in conservation goals. NWTC achieved the distinction by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’s five standards, including 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. Currently, there are 393 campuses across the United States with this recognition.
Learn more about the Tree Campus Higher Education Program
What is The Arbor Day Foundation?
One of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners, and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees. Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Since its founding, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world. Their vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to climate and survival.
Why is this important to the College?
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 improve students' mental and cognitive health, provide an appealing aesthetic for campuses, and create shaded areas for studying and gathering. In addition, this designation aligns with the work of the College's ECS Committee, ensuring the proper use and stewardship of the land NWTC's campuses are located on.
"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 wellbeing.”
