The Arbor Day Foundation has named the University of Iowa a 2012 Tree Campus USA in honor of its commitment to effective community forestry management.

Tree-planting teams keep the UI campus green and growing.

“Our trees are not only beautiful but serve to purify and cool the air, protect our soil, and absorb carbon dioxide," says Liz Christiansen, director of the UI's Office of Sustainability. "UI students help us maintain this designation by helping to plant trees on campus."

The UI was Iowa's first Tree Campus USA institution. This is the fourth year the university has achieved the title, which requires meeting five core standards for sustainable campus forestry: 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.

The Facilities Management Landscape Services team includes the following: Shawn Fitzpatrick, landscape services supervisor andInternational Society ofArboriculture(ISA) certified arborist; Andy Dahl, UI arborist and ISA certified arborist/municipal specialist; Mike Rhinehart, UI arborist and ISA certified arborist; Alan Allgood, UI tree trimmer and ISA certified arborist; and Tom Moore, UI tree trimmer and ISA certified arborist. This team maintains more than 7,700 trees on the main campus and the UI Research Park, and typically plants more than 300 trees each year. The group will accept the award in Des Moines on April 2.

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.

“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” says 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.”

UI students and staff pose with Herky and a banner recognizing the UI's Tree Campus USA status. Photo courtesy of Wendy Moorehead.