The University has been recognized as a Tree Campus Institution for a milestone tenth year in a row. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation which honors colleges and universities that are committed to engaging students and staff in conservation goals and urban forest management.
The program standards include maintaining a tree advisory committee, having a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures toward trees, hosting an Arbor Day observance, and sponsoring student service-learning projects. The University’s efforts promote a greener environment and community engagement. Trees intake carbon dioxide, a huge contributor to global warming, and produce oxygen which contributes to clean, fresh air. Trees also create shade, which can reduce the amount of energy needed to cool buildings and create places to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
University Facilities and Services is gathering a group of students, staff and faculty for a socially distanced Community Tree Planting on Wednesday, October 28. The Community Tree Planting is being held in effort to symbolically demonstrate that while many are physically distanced from the University at this time, sustainability lives and grows on our campuses. Masks are required and gloves and hand sanitizer will be provided. The group will meet outside in the Susan B. Anthony Bowl at 11:30AM, to plant trees and hear a bit more about the diversity of the trees on campus. To follow COVID-19 precautions, the event is capped at 16 people. To register, please email the Green Reps by Friday, October 23.
The University’s arboretum includes more than 1,400 trees of 116 different species on the University’s properties, including the River Campus, Eastman Campus, Medical Center, Memorial Art Gallery, South Campus, and Mount Hope Campus. A new interactive tree map has been created to help identify trees throughout the River Campus. The map features different colored dots indicating the various species of trees around campus. A simple click on a dot provides a photo and information about the tree in that area including its species, planting status, and measurement. Plant ID apps are helpful when identifying local tree species beyond campus grounds. Here are a few plant ID apps to try:
The Community Tree Planting is sponsored by Green Reps. Green Reps are a team of University of Rochester employees from many different departments who care about workplace sustainability. Green Reps receive a monthly e-newsletter, The Compost, which contains tools, tips, and resources. For more information about the program and to sign up, visit http://www.rochester.edu/sustainability/greenreps/.
Written by Emily Su, Class of 2022
Photo of the Susan B. Anthony Bowl by Chirien Pang 17
Thanks for the information.
Yes, they were all native species trees.
Have the appropriate endemic species been selected according to the climate?