Tree Campus Higher Education began in 2008. The program recognizes college and university campuses that effectively manage their campus trees, develop connectivity with the community beyond campus borders, and engage the student population in community forestry efforts.

Begin the Tree Campus Higher Education application process

Find out if your campus is a Tree Campus Higher Education

Need assistance in getting started or with the application process? Contact the Urban & Community Partnership Coordinator at (501) 580-4054.

Benefits of Tree Campus Higher Education

The Tree Campus Higher Education designation gives a university the following benefits:

• Benefits of trees in the environment include shade, wind blocks, clean air, and more!
• Trees reduce the amount of energy a campus and community need to generate.
• Planting and maintaining trees on your campus reduces carbon dioxide.
• Green space gives people a setting in which to relax.
• Getting students involved in the service-learning projects focused on planting and maintenance of trees encourages their commitment to creating a more sustainable future.

Qualifying For A Tree Campus Higher Education Award/Designation

To qualify for the designation Tree Campus USA, a campus must meet five standards:

1. Establishment of a Campus Tree Advisory Committee
2. Evidence of a Campus Tree Care Plan
3. Verification of dedicated annual expenditures on the Campus Tree Plan
4. Involvement in an Arbor Day Observance 
5. Institution of a service learning project aimed at engaging the student body

Becoming a Tree Campus Higher Education

The following suggestions will guide your campus toward the goal of becoming a Tree Campus USA:

1. Get your campus interested! Contact a variety of individuals such as sustainability coordinator, grounds manager/supervisor, facilities manager, collegiate professors, and student environmental group leaders.  
2. Plan and collaborate with partners and allies. Create the Campus Tree Advisory Committee
3. Divide the responsibilities of the five core standards among different experts in the group.
4. Invite the community to learn about your campus efforts and join in the Arbor Day celebration. Engage students in the service learning project as well.
5. Celebrate Arbor Day. 
6. Submit your application to arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA by December 31st.

Tree Campus Higher Education Application

The designation Tree Campus Higher Education must be renewed each year. The State Forester in each state is responsible for the program. Each current Tree Campus or campus applying for the Tree Campus designation for the first time must submit the following:

1. A completed application, including:
   • Potential members
   • The Campus Tree Care Plan
   • Meeting dates of Tree Advisory Committee
   • A list of Tree Advisory Committee members
   • An annual work plan
   • Dedicated annual expenditures for the Campus Tree Care Program (worksheet)
   • Any supportive letters
   • Photographs
2. Arbor Day Ceremony (include a summary and photos from the event) 
3. Arbor Day news articles or program of activities
4. Service learning project summary, photos, and media coverage

Campus Tree Care Plan

The following must be addressed in your Tree Care Plan:

• Clearly-stated purpose
• Responsible authority/department: who enforces the Campus Tree Care Plan
• Establishment of a Campus Tree Advisory Committee: terms of the representatives and roles committee members play
• Campus tree care policies: planting, landscaping, maintenance, removal, establishing and updating a list of recommend and prohibited species, and managing for catastrophic events
• Protection and preservation policies and procedures - include process for implementing tree protection plan including step-by-step process that every project must follow, including construction and trenching on campus
• Goals and targets: develop at least one goal and target for your Campus Tree Plan
• Tree damage assessment: enforcement, penalties, and appeals
• Prohibited practices
• Definitions of terminology related to campus trees
• Communication strategy: how the campus tree care plan will be communicated to the college community and to contractors to heighten awareness about policies and procedure as well as goals of the institution

Responsibilities of a Tree Committee

1. Set up operating procedures, including how officers are elected and meeting dates and times.
2. Focus on meeting the Tree Campus USA standards:
   • Celebrate Arbor Day
   • Student-led service project
   • Keep the campus on track to be Tree Campus Higher Education
3. Promote tree stewardship through:
   • Educational programs
   • Brochures
   • Tree planting projects
   • Tree workshops
   • News releases