DETROIT – Spring has arrived and Wayne State University is being recognized for its commitment to urban forest management.
For the first time ever, Wayne State has been named a Tree Campus Higher Education Institution by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to planting trees. The Tree Campus program started in 2008 to encourage higher education institutions to plant trees on their campuses.
Students and parents gathered during an orientation weekend at Wayne State’s beautiful 550-acre urban campus, home to 1,300 trees.
Wayne State’s 200-acre campus in the heart of Midtown is home to 1,300 trees.
“We have passionate students, faculty, alumni and staff who care deeply about beautifying our campus while making a positive impact on Detroit’s environment,” said Donna Reincke, associate director of Grounds Services at Wayne State. “It’s wonderful to work together through planting trees to make this happen, especially in an urban environment that brings its own unique challenges.”
There are currently 411 campuses in the United States with Tree Campus recognition. Wayne State is one of 10 Michigan universities to receive this award.
Trees on campuses, particularly in urban areas, can reduce energy costs by providing shade, making the air and water cleaner, and providing green spaces for students and faculty. In addition, trees improve students’ mental and cognitive health, provide pleasing aesthetics, and create shaded areas for study and gathering.
“Trees not only play an important role in the environment, but also in our daily lives,” said Dan Lambe, executive director of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Having trees on college and university campuses is a great way to show commitment to the overall wellbeing of students and faculty.
The Tree Campus program honors universities for effective forest management on campus and engages staff and students in conservation goals. Wayne State received the honor by meeting the program’s five standards, including maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree care plan, special annual campus tree spending, an Arbor Day observance, and a student service learning project.
Wayne State will celebrate this year’s Arbor Day on April 28 at 10 a.m. by planting nine Princeton elms near Old Main on the south side of West Warren Avenue. The elms were chosen for their strong disease resistance and tolerance to many adverse site conditions such as road salt and harsh soils.
“The Tree Campus Higher Education program,” said Reincke, “will allow us to continue our focus on sustainability and make a difference in the community by training, planting and tending campus trees year after year.”
today.wayne.edu
https://today.wayne.edu/news/2023/04/11/wayne-state-gains-national-tree-campus-status-50800
