Stony Brook University Earns “Tree Campus USA” Designation from Arbor Day Foundation

Stony Brook University has once again received Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for its dedication to healthy forestry, sustainability and environmental stewardship on campus in 2019. This marks the seventh consecutive year SBU has received the honor.

SBU earned its recognition through the implementation of five core standards that promote the health of trees and student involvement to improve their forests. The university met the standards by establishing a campus tree advisory committee that was tasked with developing a plan, allotting annual expenditures and bringing in community members in the observance of Arbor Day.

These standards helped shape and define the campus’ vision to foster a healthy, safe, and attractive campus forest. The work of the committee ensures that all aspects of the Stony Brook community are being represented and that safe and proper planting techniques are being used throughout the campus. The purpose of the Stony Brook Campus Tree Care Plan is to illustrate and further implement proper tree selection and planting, tree maintenance and storm mitigation. The plan helps spur members of the university community to become more involved in improving the campus forest by outlining tree requirements and clarifying expectations for the community to follow.

To celebrate receiving last year’s designation as a Tree Campus USA member, SBU’s Grounds Department held a planting event on campus to raise awareness of the mission of Arbor Day and to promote a greener community. With help of SBU Grounds staff and 16 student volunteers, the university planted a Cercis Canadensis, or Eastern Redbud, on the Simons Center lawn. Plans for this year’s Arbor Day celebration will be announced in the coming weeks.