Furman named a 2019 Tree Campus USA

Furman University has been named a 2019 Tree Campus USA. Tree Campus USA, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.

Furman met the five core standards for effective campus forest management, including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service learning projects. The university, which is home to the George G. Willis Jr. Arboretum, has now earned the distinction for 12 straight years.

In December of 2019, Furman replaced 40 oaks lining the mall from PAC circle to the chapel. The work was the next step of a multi-year project to remove aging and dying trees around campus.

The Tree Campus USA program will be called Tree Campus Higher Education for the 2020 designations. This change brings together the Tree Campus recognition programs, which now includes Tree Campus K-12 and Tree Campus Healthcare. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization dedicated to “inspiring people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.” Tree Campus USA schools have planted more than 36,000 trees since the program began.