Day: April 2, 2021

Practical Sustainability: Healthy Trees and Student Involvement

Reposted from Tech Today

When Michigan Tech was first established, the surrounding wilderness was rapidly changing into an industrial center. Copper mining and the timber industry were providing natural resources for use across the nation. Just as this legacy of industrial growth and its structures tie us to our past, the trees on our campus connect our University to the outlying landscape and the wilderness from which it grew.

The trees on our campus provide a sense of place, natural history, and are a reminder of our relationship with the land.  Over the past several years the Department of Facilities Management has been working with a Campus Tree Advisory Committee to advance tree-related activities on campus. The Campus Tree Advisory Committee is comprised of faculty, staff, students and community members with an interest in sustainable planning, development, and education pertaining to tree care and the campus landscape. 

For the second consecutive year, Michigan Tech was recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus Higher Education honoree. “The Tree Campus Higher Education program helps colleges and universities establish and sustain healthy community forests.” You can learn more about the Tree Campus Higher Education program here. Michigan Tech is one of four public universities in Michigan to be recognized for our efforts related to “promoting healthy trees and student involvement.”

The Campus Tree Advisory Committee is currently planning for another year of activities on campus and in our surrounding communities. Student involvement will also be a priority this year with a goal of developing a larger group of interested and active volunteers. Annual events include an Arbor Day observance as well as service-learning projects that require inspired and motivated student volunteers. If you have an interest in becoming a part of the University’s Tree Campus organization please send an email to treecampus-l@mtu.edu and we’ll include you in future correspondence.