Tulane named “Tree Campus USA”

The Arbor Day Foundation selected Tulane University as one of five American universities to earn the 2009 Tree Campus USA title, recognizing Tulane’s devotion to campus forestry management and promotion of environmental stewardship.

Tulane’s efforts to maintain campus greenery earned the award, which went to a total of five universities.

A ceremony took place 11 a.m. Nov. 6 on Bruff Quad, where President Scott Cowen delivered a short address, followed by speeches from student groups and representatives from Toyota and Arbor Day Foundation. Duke University, Cornell University, University of Maryland and University of Washington also received the award, which is now in its second year of existence.

“These schools have made a major commitment to protecting, caring for and adding to their campus forest,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of Arbor Day Foundation in a press release.

Tulane satisfied the foundation’s five standards required to achieve the Tree Campus USA award: forming a campus tree advisory committee, establishing a campus tree-care plan, dedicating an annual budget for the campus tree-care plan, launching student service-learning projects involving tree care and becoming involved in Arbor Day observation.

“In addition to meeting these standards of community engagement, Tulane has a long history of caring for and nurturing trees,” Tulane Public Relations Director Mike Strecker said. “Just look on campus; the trees are well-preserved. That’s not an accident. That played a role in winning this award as well.”

Last Friday’s service also included a plaque dedication and tree-planting event, during which students planted 45 trees around recreation areas and in the new community garden behind Wall Residential College.

“I feel like we already have plenty of greenery around campus, especially with this new McAlister project,” junior Jen Del Rossi said. “But anything that makes the quads more attractive is a good thing.”

While many students look forward to seeing the new foliage, other students said they found the tree plantings unnecessary.

“I think open space and fields allow for students to enjoy the architectural integrity and beauty of the buildings just enough,” sophomore Michael Soforenko said. “More trees would hinder that.”

A council of architects and landscape architects in coalition with Tulane Facility Services, the campus tree advisory committee and the Office of the University Architect designed the landscaping plans to integrate a variety of trees including fig, satsuma, honey locust and persimmon into Tulane’s campus.

“The results of this commitment will have a lasting, positive impact not only on campus but in the overall community,” Rosenow said.