In the photo above, from the left: CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales; Dorothy Chen-Maynard, program coordinator, Nutrition and Food Sciences; Jenny Sorenson, associate vice president, Facilities Planning and Management; Douglas Freer, vice president, Administration and Finance; and Teresa Fricke, director, Risk Management-Environmental Health and Safety. Photo: Robert A. Whitehead/CSUSB

Cal State San Bernardino was formally recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation at a brief presentation on May 23. The foundation cited the university’s

 dedication and work to effectively manage its trees on campus, and work with the local community as part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Since 2008, the Tree Campus USA program has recognized college and university campuses that effectively manage campus trees, develop connectivity with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy, urban forests, engage student population through service learning opportunities centered on campus, and community forestry efforts.

CSUSB is among more than 300 colleges from around the country that have met the program’s five standards and recognized as a Tree Campus USA. Tree Campus USA is only open to 2- to 4-year accredited colleges and universities.

“Our campus has a long history of sustainability and protecting the natural environment,” said Jenny Sorenson, associate vice president of Facilities Planning and Management. “The Tree Campus USA designation reaffirms our efforts and speaks to our future commitment to our landscape and, specifically, our trees.”

CSUSB currently has about 3,500 trees planted throughout the campus. The primary species of trees consists of sycamore, alder, pine and eucalyptus. The trees are the responsibility of the university’s Facilities Planning and Management department, which is responsible for the maintenance and operations of campus buildings and grounds as well as landscaping and turf.

Facilities Planning and Management maintains the campus trees in a safe, healthy and attractive condition and promotes their sustained growth while enhancing the park-like setting of the university.

In April, as part of Sustainability Week and as part of CSUSB’s being named to Tree Campus USA, the university held various events, including a succulent planting party where students, faculty and staff learned gardening tips, and planted trees near the Serrano Village Quad and parking Lot F.

To be considered for Tree Campus USA, the university met five criteria:

  • Establish a Campus Tree Advisory Committee;
  • Evidence of a Campus Tree Care Plan;
  • Verification of dedicated annual expenditures of the Campus Tree Plan;
  • Involvement in an Arbor Day Observance; and
  • Institute a service learning project aimed at involving the student body.

A commitment to trees on the campus can significantly reduce the amount of energy a campus and community needs to generate. The planting and maintenance of trees on campus and in the community reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Green space gives students, faculty and staff a setting to relax with others or on their own. It involves students in service learning project focusing on the planning, planting and maintenance of trees on campus encouraging their commitment to creating a more sustainable future for all.

For more information visit the Tree Campus USA website.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.