The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized UNT Dallas as a 2019 Tree Campus USA School it announced this week for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

"Tree Campuses and their students set examples for not only their student bodies but the surrounding communities showcasing how trees create a healthier environment,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Because of University of North Texas at Dallas' participation, air will be purer, water cleaner and your students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty the trees provide.”

The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. University of North Texas at Dallas 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 project. Currently there are 385 campuses across the United States with this recognition.

UNT Dallas, which is situated on 264 wooded acres, has added to the beauty of its campus with the planting of 72 trees. Those trees, plus additional plants and shrubs were planted as part of the courtyard redesign between DAL 1 and Founders Hall, as well as around the new Student Center.

"Being honored as a Tree Campus USA recognizes the campus’ commitment to sustain healthy community and campus environment through time, talent, education and funding," said UNT Dallas Campus Projects Manager Traci Jones. "As the campus continues to be developed, we are committed to develop sustainable landscapes that support the best day-to-day experience at UNT Dallas."

The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $51 million in campus forest management last year. This work directly supports the Arbor Day Foundation’s Time for Trees initiative — an unprecedented effort to plant 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspire 5 million tree planters by 2022.

Last year, Tree Campus USA schools have collectively planted 34,515 trees and engaged 33,432 tree planters — helping us work toward these critical goals.