For the second year in a row, Missouri State University is being honored with the Tree Campus USA award. As KSMU’s Theresa Bettmann reports, MSU is one of only five campuses throughout Missouri, and the only campus in Springfield to receive this award.
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Walking through the MSU campus, you might be surprised to learn the campus is home to more than 2,200 trees. There are around 120 varieties that make up that total. John Clark, assistant director for ground services at MSU, says the Tree Campus USA recognition honors conservation and forestation efforts made by campuses across the country.
“It shows that we are dedicated, not just grounds but the university as a whole, is dedicated to our trees here on campus, and providing a learning environment for the students here,” says Clark.
There are five core standards the foundation looks at when selecting campuses for the award. These include the establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for campus tree programs, Arbor Day observance and sponsorship of student-learning projects. Clark says MSU’s mission extends beyond campus.
“We like to try and do this too as an example to the community. Part of our mission statement is public affairs. And the university, we are open 24 hours 7 days a week, we have people coming through campus all of the time,” Clark says.
Presentation of the award will take place in conjunction with Greenwood Lab School’s Arbor Day poster contest award on April 11th. This year’s tree planting event on campus will be at Kentwood Hall April 22nd.
