Indiana University Columbus students, faculty and staff volunteers pose for a photo during a tree-planting event on campus last spring. For the fifth straight year, IUC has earned a Tree Campus Higher Education distinction from the Arbor Day Foundation.
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The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized IU Columbus with a 2023 Tree Campus Higher Education distinction for its commitment to effective urban forest management. It’s the fifth straight year the campus has earned the honor.
In April 2023, IU Columbus celebrated Arbor Day with students planting three dogwood and two redbud trees. The celebration included students and members of the community, who received 50 hybrid willow starter trees. Of those, the student organization LOVE (Latino-American Organization of Volunteers in Education) distributed 30 starter trees at an event at Mill Race Park in May 2023.
“At IU Columbus, we deeply value the significant role of trees in enriching our environment and strengthening our community. This recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation reinforces our dedication to fostering a sustainable and dynamic campus environment that serves all members of our community,” said Naomi Cohenour, Executive Director, Office of Administration and Finance, who also manages Tree Campus Higher Education and Sustainability initiatives at IU Columbus.
“Trees not only play a vital role in the environment but also in our daily lives,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Having trees on college and university campuses is a great way to show a commitment to students and faculty’s overall wellbeing.”
Trees on campus and in urban spaces can lower energy costs by providing shade cover, cleaner air and water, and green spaces for students and faculty. In addition, trees improve students’ mental and cognitive health, provide an appealing aesthetic for campuses, and create shaded areas for studying and gathering.
