Frostburg State University Named Tree Campus USA for Third Straight Year

Frostburg State University has been honored as a Tree Campus USA for its third year in a row, due to its “commitment to effective urban forest management,” according to a press release. The University has been able to maintain and promote healthy trees around the campus.

The Arbor Day Foundation sponsors the Tree Campus USA program with hopes of inspiring people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. The program requires two- and four-year colleges or universities to meet five standards. These five standards help to promote healthy trees and student involvement.

Standard One is having a Campus Tree Advisory Committee comprised of student and faculty members.

Standard Two is having a campus tree care plan. This plan should be used to set a good policy and clear guidance for maintaining and removing trees as well as providing education to the campus and local community about forest protection and tree growth.

Standard Three is having a campus tree program with dedicated annual expenditures. In this case, Frostburg’s tree program is the Campus Shade Tree Committee, founded by associate professor of biology Dr. Sunshine Brosi. Grants are written to obtain the money provided for tree maintenance.

Standard Four is Arbor Day observance. This day grants the campus community an opportunity to learn the benefits of the trees on campus and in the community. Many people do not know the benefits of trees. When asked about the importance of trees, Brosi responded, “they reduce infiltration… and sequester carbon… The more trees you have, the more likely people are to hike and walk.”

Standard Five is a service-learning project. Projects range from volunteer tree plantings, to establishment of campus arboreta, to partnerships with state forestry departments on regional projects.

Campus USA is partnered with Toyota, not only to build hybrid vehicles for the environment, but also to help educate and improve youth and students on the environment that they serve. FSU is the only campus in Maryland to adopt a standard of for its campus’ canopy.

“We are honored by the Tree Campus USA recognition,” said FSU President Jonathan Gibralter. “Providing hands-on learning opportunities for our campus community to support environmental stewardship by beautifying our campus with native trees is a huge part of how we’re working to make sustainability a part of our institutional culture. I know our students, faculty, staff and community members and partners will continue making great strides in supporting sustainability at Frostburg.”

Brosi, the chair of the Campus Shade Tree Committee, says the group meets once a month to organize Arbor Day events. Students and faculty both give Brosi a good name when talking about her effectiveness in leading this program.

With all of the success that Frostburg State University has had within the Tree Campus USA program in the past three years, it is almost guaranteed that they will continue to be a leader in tree planting and planning to Maryland colleges and universities.