Sustainability on the Ground: Tree Campus

The University of Kentucky just received its 10th year recognition as a Tree Campus Higher Education (formerly Tree Campus USA) and its second year recognition as a Tree Campus Healthcare institution through the Arbor Day Foundation.

The award has five standards that must be met in order for a college or university to receive a Tree Campus USA designation:

1. The campus must have a Tree Advisory Committee.
2. The campus must have a campus tree care plan.
3. The campus must have a tree program with dedicated annual expenditures.
4. The campus must partake in an Arbor Day observance.
5. The campus must have a service-learning project.

UK keeps its recognition updated in large part due to the Campus Tree Inventory, which is available to the public as an interactive tree plotter. The tree inventory helps with the management of campus trees from the facilities side, but also shows the public the specific monetary benefits of each tree on campus. Follow along with Grounds Manager, Stacy Borden, as he explains how UK set up the inventory and maintains its Tree Campus status.