Tree Campus Higher Education
UMW is proud to be a recognized campus in the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus Higher Education program since 2015. The Tree Campus Higher Education program celebrates campuses who have made the commitment to supporting tree policies, education and maintenance on campus.
Certification is awarded to campuses who have:
- Established a “Tree Advisory Committee”
- Created a Tree Care Plan, which outlines policies for proper tree maintenance on campus
- Verification of the plan’s dedicated annual expenditures
- Dedicated an annual Arbor Day Celebration
- Ongoing service-learning projects aimed at engaging the student body
Why is this Important?
The Office of Sustainability recognizes the importance of supporting our campus trees and the direct impact it can have on our community and environment. A few benefits include:
- Green spaces and areas of campuses with increased trees provide important mental health benefits and encourage physical activity
- Planting and maintaining a rich tree population on campus reduces and sequesters carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, prevent soil erosion, and helps to filter excess stormwater
- Community service-learning projects focused on trees promote future sustainable behaviors
View UMW’s Tree Care Plan – here
How We Celebrate
Tree Festival is an annual Fall celebration hosted by the Office of Sustainability to highlight arboricultural achievement on campus and in our local community. Past Tree Festivals have delivered music, games, tree climbing demonstrations, awards and more!
In addition to Tree Festival, the Office of Sustainability hosts multiple tree-focused service events throughout the year. Interested in taking part in our next tree event? Volunteer with us here!
Interested in learning more about UMW’s trees? Learn about our Campus Tree Map here!
President Paino at Tree Fest; 2019 |
 Campus Arbor Day Tree Planting; 2022 |