Catholic University Achieves Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus Honor
Photo Images of Catholic University Communications
By Chris Carey
Anyone who has spent time on or around the campus of The Catholic University of America can recognize the unique green spaces and shady spots that break up the concrete of Washington D.C.’s northeast quadrant. This past year, thanks to actions by some campus groups and students, Catholic U has been recognized for its commitment to preserving and protecting these valuable natural assets.
The Arbor Day Foundation has bestowed a 2020 Tree Campus Higher Education honor this past year for achieving the requirements outlined by the Arbor Day Foundation.
In order to be considered a Tree Campus, the university must “[maintain] a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and a student service-learning project,” which according to University Communications, has been achieved for the first time since 2015.
Spearheading many of these efforts has been junior Environmental Studies major Holly Thompson, who is both the President of the Environmental Club, team lead for the garden service at the Franciscan Monastery, and the Director for the Student Government Association’s Environmental Executive Initiative.
“We have been working on making CUA a tree campus USA for a couple of years now,” Thompson said. “The main component which is a tree committee is our way of following the campus sustainability plan.”
Thompson serves on the University’s Tree Advisory Committee, which according to the Arbor Day Foundation, requires students, faculty, facilities staff, and community members. Also serving on this committee are sophomores Joseph Giessuebel and Jaci Jedrych, along with senior Alex Dumm.
Thompson, who also aims to launch a community garden with SGA and the Environmental Club later this month, went on to say that “the committee is our way of involving students, faculty and the outside community including Casey Trees in the effort to educate people about the trees on campus as well as preserve them.”
Casey Trees is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that is “committed to restoring, enhancing and protecting the tree canopy of the nation’s capital.”
Since 2002, Casey Trees has served the Washington D.C. area. The headquarters is conveniently located on 12th Street NE, only a few blocks from campus, and they are a partner with the Franciscan Monastery as well as the University.
According to Catholic University’s estimate, there are more than 1,500 trees on and surrounding the campus in Northeast Washington. It is remarkable enough to have a 176-acre space in a major city; however, the University’s membership as a Tree Campus USA reaffirms its commitment to preserving the tree canopy that students so enjoy, and that is entirely necessary for a greener tomorrow both on campus and around the world.
The Tree Advisory Committee meets at least quarterly, and meetings are open to members of the community who choose to attend.
This recognition is only a small piece of the recent efforts Catholic University has taken to ensure that CUA operates with due environmental diligence and serves as a role model for similar universities in their pursuits of a more sustainable campus for future generations.
