By Jackie Roberts
Contributing Writer
Here at St. Bonaventure University, students and staff are charmed each day with gorgeous landscapes and enchanting mountains. Tree Campus USA recently recognized St. Bonaventure’s yearlong effort to demonstrate its commitment toward promoting healthy management of our campus’s forests.
The Arbor Day Foundation established Tree Campus USA in 2008 to recognize college campuses. The campuses they acknowledge meet the organization’s standards to encourage “environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing” universities and colleges.
In order to be recognized as a Tree Campus USA, campuses must meet the five core standards of tree care and community engagement: “establishing a campus tree advisory committee; evidence of a campus tree-care plan; dedicated annual expenditures on a tree-care plan; involvement in an Arbor Day observance; and the institution of a service-learning project that engages the student body,” according to the Arbor Day Foundation.
Only about 100 college campuses will receive recognition from the environmentally-friendly organization for 2012, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. St. Bonaventure will receive recognition and promotional materials such as posters and attire from the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA.
In 2009, Bonaventure became involved with the organization. David Sine, a senior business major, launched the program at Bona’s. After receiving recognition from the organization in 2010, Stine spoke wonders regarding Tree Campus USA.
“I’m a member of the Arbor Day Foundation and a big fan of the social and economic benefits that result from environmental stewardship,” Stine said.
Rob Hurlburt, associate director of facilities for maintenance, has contributed many hours to the Tree Campus USA project, as it is his responsibility to develop a committee of students, faculty and community members.
“Being recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA is one component of the university’s sustainability initiative,” Hurlburt said. “It has elevated awareness in regard to the stewardship of trees which are vital to our environmental health. It has allowed for collaboration of faculty, students and local experts to work with campus facilities personnel and administrators to work toward increasing environmental standards and awareness.”
Sister Suzanne Kush, C.S.S.F., is another supporter of Bona’s’ involvement in Tree Campus USA.
“We have a responsibility to care for the trees and make sure they are healthy,” Sister Suzanne said. “Especially as a Franciscan school, we need to respect and preserve the gift of nature we have been given.”
She admires the student, staff and community efforts in the project and believes their involvement demonstrates unity at Bonaventure.
The efforts of St. Bonaventure in portraying a nature-friendly and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere are evident to the students as well.
Zach Warren, a junior journalism and mass communication major, is also fond of the results of Tree Campus USA.
“The campus is extremely appealing, especially in the fall,” Warren said. “The trees and nature around campus drew me towards Bonaventure when applying to schools.”
Now that the roots of this project have been planted, staff and students are eager to see just how big the Tree Campus USA efforts can grow at Bona’s.
