EIU Named a Tree Campus for Fourth Consecutive Year
Apr-23-2014
Just in time for Arbor Day this Friday (April 25), Eastern Illinois University has been named one of the nation’s “Tree Campuses” for the fourth year in a row.
The designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation recognizes the importance EIU places on its campus tree program and effective campus forest management. In addition, the university had to meet other requirements including having a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program and a student service-learning project promoting healthy trees.
“We recognize the importance of trees on our campus,” said Andy Methven, a biological sciences professor who encouraged EIU to submit its application. “They are essential to creating a beautiful and welcoming campus, and they also help keep our air and water clean.”
Methven noted that a number of trees on Eastern’s campus have been recognized locally as “trees of distinction” and that some are several hundred years old.
“This simply wouldn’t be the same campus without our trees and it is wonderful to be recognized for our work in maintaining the trees we have and for the university’s work in constantly working to plant additional specimens,” he said.
The Tree Campus USA program was launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and is sponsored by Toyota. The program honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.
The Arbor Day Foundation is headquartered in Lincoln, Neb.
