Arbor Day Foundation Names Clarke University a 2012 Tree Campus USA

 Clarke University is a Tree Campus USA for the second year in a row, the Arbor Day Foundation announced today.

Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Toyota helped launch the program and continues its generous financial support this year.

Clarke University achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures toward trees, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning projects.

“Clarke’s recognition as a Tree Campus USA designee reflects the deep connection the Clarke community has to our landscape,” said Clarke Director of Facilities Management Brian Schultes. “Our historic trees, heritage trees and our annual tree care program embody this connection by demonstrating our commitment to carefully steward a priceless campus feature. To be one of only a handful of schools in Iowa with this designation reflects our ambition to be sustainability leaders rather than sustainability followers.”

“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said John Rosenow, founder and 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 all of us.”

“Toyota is so proud to support a program that we believe has a tremendous impact on both reducing the environmental footprint of a college campus and inspiring college students to become the conservation leaders of the future,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of National Philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation.