Arbor Day Foundation Recognizes Gwinnett Tech's Urban Forestry Support Efforts

Tree Campus USALAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Gwinnett Technical College was among 14 Georgia campuses recognized last month for its commitment to caring for and managing its trees, and was honored during the 2015 State Arbor Day celebration at Wesleyan College in Macon for being one of Georgia's “Tree Campus USA” communities.

“The students, staff and faculty of the Horticulture Department are proud to fly the Tree Campus USA flag. There is much work and coordination that must be performed each year within our department, with the Grounds Department and with the rest of our campus community. This designation allows us to promote the importance of our community’s tree canopy and host various events for the tree care industry, Georgia Urban Forestry Council and our partners at the Georgia Forestry Commission,” explains Aaron Poulsen, horticulture program director, Gwinnett Tech.

The Tree Campus USA program, administered by the Arbor Day Foundation, provides the framework for community forestry management for college campuses across America. Those requirements include the establishment of a tree board, a campus tree care plan, specific spending levels for urban forestry, service learning and planned Arbor Day celebrations.

“We are both excited and proud to have earned Tree Campus USA distinction for the seventh straight year,” says Gail Zorn, Gwinnett Tech grounds manager. “We are committed to the vision of the Arbor Day Foundation on our campus.”

Arbor Day Foundation President Dan Lambe traveled to Georgia for the event, which also recognized Tree City USA towns and cities and Tree Line USA utilities. Gwinnett Technical College replanted 31 trees lost to construction, old age and decline, which helped them meet the standards necessary to be a Tree Campus USA for the 2014 year.

“The students and faculty of Gwinnett Technical College can take pride in their campus leaders' commitment to trees and forested land — on Arbor Day and every other day of the year,” says Robert Farris, Georgia Forestry Commission director.

For more information about Georgia's trees and services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit www.GaTrees.org. For information about the Arbor Day Foundation, visit www.arborday.org.

Featured

  • University of Illinois Moves Forward with College Sports’ Largest Digital Scoreboard

    The University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., recently announced a series of upgrades to Gies Memorial Stadium that will include the largest scoreboard in college sports, according to a news release.

  • Round Rock ISD Completes New Early College High School

    Round Rock ISD near Austin, Texas, recently announced that construction is complete on a new, 46,500-square-foot campus for Early College High School, according to a news release. The new facility will allow the school’s students and staff to move from portables into a permanent building and increase its enrollment to 500.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.

  • Photo credit: Elkus Manfredi Architects

    University of Virginia Selects Design-Build Team for New Residential Complex

    The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., recently announced that it has selected a design-build team for a new upper-class residential development on campus, according to a news release. Capstone Development Partners—in partnership with Elkus Manfredi Architects and the Hoar Construction/Hourigan construction team—will move forward with the three-building, 310,000-square-foot housing facility.