For the fourth consecutive year, Northeastern Illinois University has received a Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for promoting healthy trees and engaging the University community in conservation efforts.
In order to earn this distinction, the University had to meet the five core standards for effective campus forest management according to Tree Campus USA: 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.
This award was made possible through the collaborative efforts of faculty members in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, the Department of Biology, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Division of Finance and Administration.
“We are delighted that NEIU has been granted a Tree Campus USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation for the fourth consecutive year,” Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator of Geography and Environmental Studies Melinda Storie said. “This initiative is a great example of how multiple academic departments (Biology, Environmental Sciences, Geography and Environmental Studies) work with other units on campus (Facilities Management, Grounds Maintenance, Student Affairs) to ensure that NEIU continues to value and promote campus sustainability, ecological health, and the natural beauty of our land.”
In 2017, 364 campuses across the United States received this recognition.
The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. With over one million members, the Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.
Top photo (from left): Alison Bonilla, Maricarmen Tellez, Millenia Jimenez and Olga Alfaro participate in a Biology class tree exercise.
