Ann Arbor campus recognized as Tree Campus USA

By: 
Elisse Rodriguez
Release Date: 
4/4/2017

students on tree lined Ann Arbor Campus

The University of Michigan’s efforts to promote healthy trees and environmental stewardship has earned the Ann Arbor campus recognition as a Tree Campus USA institution for the ninth consecutive year. Some of the efforts that earned the certification include having a tree advisory committee, maintaining a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual funding for routine tree maintenance and hosting volunteer days to remove invasive species from the North Campus woodlots. Launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota, this national program awards college campuses and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging the campus community to make a healthier, more sustainable world. University Forester and Tree Advisory Committee member Mike Rutkofske will accept the recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation on April 11 in East Lansing.

In addition, the U-M grounds crew planted an Elm tree on the Diag on April 4 as part of the university's bicentennial celebration in honor of Professor Andrew Dickson White. In 1857, White took it upon himself to transform the Diag one tree at a time from a barren field to a shady landscape filled with trees similar to how it appears today.