For the third year in a row, the University of Central Florida has received a Tree Campus USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation.
To receive the title, universities have to have a tree-advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for a campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project.
“Through UCF’s recognition as a Tree Campus USA and through our urban forestry and landscaping programs, we demonstrate our commitment to maintain a healthy tree community and urban forest,” said Alaina Bernard, assistant director of UCF Landscape & Natural Resources. “The Tree Campus USA designation is another step in demonstrating UCF’s continued commitment to urban ecosystem health.”
To celebrate this recognition, UCF will host Arbor Day in the Outfield on Monday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the UCF Softball Complex off North Orion Boulevard.
The event will begin with a tree-planting ceremony, followed by a guided hike through the Natural Area trails led by Landscape & Natural Resources and the Arboretum. Grilled hotdogs and refreshments will be served.
UCF has maintained its Tree Campus USA designation by engaging the community in various educational and outreach activities. In addition, UCF’s Tree Team oversaw and planted more than 200 native trees and removed 40 invasive, exotic trees that are disruptive to the natural areas on campus in 2012.
“Diligence in improving the environment and quality of life at the University of Central Florida contributes to a healthier planet for all of us,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, one of the world’s largest nonprofit conservation organizations dedicated to planting trees.
For more information about the Tree Campus USA program, visit http://www.arborday.org/programs/treecampususa/.