John Brown University Recognized As ‘Tree Campus’
SILOAM SPRINGS, ARK. (March 31, 2016) — John Brown University was recently honored with a 2015 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Tree Campus USA is a national program founded in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals.
JBU achieved the Tree Campus USA title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, developing a campus tree care plan, dedicating annual expenditures for a campus tree program, observing Arbor Day and establishing a student service-learning project. Currently there are 254 campuses across the United States with this recognition.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation,” said Travis Chaney, the university’s grounds foreman. “As I see it, this is simply another outworking of JBU’s culture of pursuing excellence and faithful stewardship at all levels of the institution. It means we are committed to the good work of those who have planted before us, and to planting for those who will come long after we’re gone.”
The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities collectively invested more than $36.8 million in campus forest management last year. For more information about the program, click here.
“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.
On Tuesday, April 5, JBU students and staff will gather in honor of Arbor Day at 3 p.m. in the Walker Student Center for a brief presentation about Arbor Day and JBU’s recent recognition as a Tree Campus USA. After the presentation, those gathered will disperse to plant about 20 trees in designated areas across campus.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available on the foundation's website.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Ranked No. 2 among Southern regional colleges by U.S. News, JBU enrolls more than 2,700 students from 42 states and 39 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, degree completion and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.
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