Stewards of our trees
UVA once again earns Tree Campus USA recognition
The University of Virginia has once again earned the Tree Campus USA recognition, an Arbor Day Foundation program that honors universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.
“This recognition helps [highlight] the importance of trees and why they are beneficial to us,” said UVA Facilities Management Landscape Services Supervisor Senior Kevin Beal, who applied for the designation on behalf of the University. Trees provide numerous benefits to the community including providing oxygen to breathe, filtering air and stormwater, reducing cooling energy needs and supporting wildlife habitats, according to Beal.
“It shows we’re being good stewards of our trees and [surrounding] landscape and by keeping everyone aware of that, we hope they can do the same and learn from our example,” he said.
The designation is awarded based on five core standards for sustainable campus forest management, including a tree advisory committee, a University-wide tree-care plan and dedicated funds, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects. UVA first received the recognition last year for its work in 2018. Beal plans to apply for the designation annually. Currently, there are 383 campuses across the United States with this recognition.
This spring, UVA Landscape Services and the Virginia Department of Forestry will mark this recognition with a planting of a black gum tree in the courtyard of UVA School of Law in honor of the school’s former dean John C. Jeffries.
Jane Centofante
Communications senior generalist
UVA Facilities Management
(434) 982-5846
janecentofante@virginia.edu