Rhodes College has been recertified as a Tree Campus USA® by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. This is the third year the college has earned the distinction after meeting five standards that include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning project.
“Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all,” says Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation.
Rhodes is a certified Level 4 arboretum, and under the supervision of Dr. Kimberly Kasper, Emily Cerrito ’16, Danielle Smith ’15, and Caroline Jacobs ’15 will be working toward a re-certification of the arboretum. These students also are part of the Urban Forestry Fellows researching Overton Park’s old growth forest and planning events to engage the community in environmental stewardship.