In February, the College became one of the 393 campuses across the United States recognized for sustainable land use by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and engaging students and staff 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 coordinating a student service-learning project.
The Arbor Day Foundation is one of the world’s largest operating conservation foundations and the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. In the last 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has planted and distributed nearly 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world.
Trees on campuses and in urban spaces lower energy costs by providing shade cover, cleaner air and water, and outdoor spaces for students and staff to use. These green spaces improve mental and cognitive health in addition to providing an appealing natural aesthetic on the campus.
The designation shows NWTC’s continued commitment to creating a sustainable, globally-minded culture.
The Natural Land Use task force of the College’s Environmental Climate Stewardship Committee led the effort. Their goal is to ensure that NWTC’s land is managed responsibly, respectfully, ethically, and sustainably.
