Foundation Honors UA with Tree Campus USA Title

Foundation Honors UA with Tree Campus USA Title

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama was recently honored with 2016 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

From left: Kim Byram, grounds assistant manager; Bryant Anderson, grounds director; Donna McCray, senior director of facilities operations and grounds use permits; and Duane Lamb, assistant vice president of facilities and grounds.

This is the second consecutive year UA has received the award.

“The University of Alabama is proud to be among the most beautiful campuses in the nation,” said Donna McCray, senior director of facilities operations and grounds use permits at UA.

“This national recognition for our urban forestry management speaks volumes about the University’s vision, dedication and commitment to campus sustainability,” McCray said. “We look forward to making continued strides in protecting and nurturing our campus canopy.”

Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor colleges and universities for engaging staff and students in conservation goals through campus forestry efforts.

UA achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards: a tree advisory committee; a campus tree care plan; dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program; an Arbor Day observance; and student service learning projects.

UA’s urban forest is comprised of more than 10,000 trees, many more than a century old.

To commemorate the honor, UA was presented with a plaque that is displayed in the Rose Administration Building foyer and a Tree Campus USA flag that is flying on the Quad.

Founded in 1972, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance in the 19th century, the Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners. More information about the Tree Campus USA program is available at www.arborday.org/treecampus

Contact

Derek Hooper, student writer, media relations, 205/348-5320; Chris Bryant, UA media relations, cbryant@ur.ua.edu