ALLIANCE, Ohio – For now 11 years in a row, the University of Mount Union has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a 2020 Tree Campus USA for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

In order to obtain this recognition, the University had to meet five standards of conservation. These standards include maintaining a tree advisory committee, developing a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures to its campus tree program, holding an Arbor Day observance and promoting a student learning service project. 

Mount Union is also one of only three institutions in Northeast Ohio to offer a minor in sustainability to its students.

According to the Tree Campus USA website, Mount Union earned this recognition because the university “effectively manages campus trees, develops connectivity with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy, urban forests and strives to engage the student population in utilizing service learning opportunities centered on campus and community forestry efforts.” 

After its founding in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters and valued partners. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation. 

See more about what being a Tree Campus USA institution means by visiting the Arbor Day Foundation on YouTube.