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Kirkwood Receives Honor from Arbor Day Foundation

By March 31, 2016November 28th, 2018No Comments

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (March 31, 2016)–Kirkwood Community College has been given a 2015 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

This is the fifth year in a row that Kirkwood has received the designation. Kirkwood Associate Vice President of Facilities and Security Tom Kaldenberg regards the honor as the result of a lot of hard work.

“We’re very happy to be continually recognized for all of our conservation efforts,” said Kaldenberg. “Our Arborist Brett Eilers, Ground Maintenance Manager Mike Martin and the ground maintenance staff do an incredible job. They not only take care of the trees on campus, but they also work with many organizations to make sure Kirkwood is a showplace for a wide variety of healthy trees. It’s a great team effort.”

Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation. They honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and engage staff and students in conservation goals. Kirkwood Community College achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which 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 projects. Currently there are 254 campuses across the United States with this recognition.

“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.”

The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $36.8 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.