Tree Campus USA

Kent State University at Stark has been designated a Tree Campus USA university each year since 2009 by the nonprofit National Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Campus USA is a national program of the National Arbor Day Foundation that honors colleges and universities for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship. Tree Campus USA is supported by a grant from Toyota.

REQUIREMENTS FOR TREE CAMPUS USA DESIGNATION

Kent State Stark met the required five core standards of tree care and community engagement to earn its Tree Campus USA designation. The five core standards are:

• Establish a campus tree advisory committee.
• Have a campus tree-care plan in place.
• Dedicate annual expenditures for campus trees.
• Observe Arbor Day on campus.
• Institute service-learning projects aimed at engaging the student body.

The Tree Campus USA program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation offers the opportunity for our campus to be recognized for its concern and proper management of the campus urban forest. Through the Campus Tree Advisory Committee, comprised of faculty, staff, students and community members, this committee recognizes the value of and demonstrates an interest in the well being and benefits of a properly managed campus urban forest. The committee meets biannually and provides important input into the care and improvement of the campus tree landscape.

The adopted Kent State Stark Tree Care Plan provides clear guidance in the management of the campus urban forest and good practices for planting, maintaining, protecting and removing of trees on campus. This purpose includes providing education to the campus community, citizens, contractors and consultants about the importance of the campus urban forest and the protection and maintenance of trees as part of the growth and land development process. The overall goal of the plan is to ensure a safe, attractive, and sustainable campus urban forest. The specific objectives of the plan are:

• Ensure proper species selection, high-quality nursery stock acquisition, and industry-consensus planting procedures. 
• Promote species diversity and proper age structure in the tree population. 
• Protect high-value campus trees during construction and renovation projects. 
• Promote tree health and safety by utilizing the International Society of Arboriculture’s best management practices when maintaining campus trees. 
• Ensure that trees are reasonably replaced when there is mortality due to weather, pest infestations, injury, or construction displacement. 
• Encourage campus community members to respect and value the campus urban forest.