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UA Fort Smith Campus Recognized
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(Posted: February 25,
2010)
(Printable
Version)
The dedication of the
University of Arkansas Fort Smith to campus
forestry management
and environmental
stewardship has
resulted in its
designation as a 2009
Tree Campus USA
University by the Arbor
Day Foundation.
UA Fort Smith is the first
higher education
institution in Arkansas to
be named a Tree
Campus USA University.
UA Fort Smith’s
application was
submitted by Alison Litchy of Fort Smith, the university’s urban forester. The application
provided the Arbor Day Foundation with information on the purpose of UA Fort Smith’s
tree care plan and outlined practices and processes used in selection and care of the
various species found on campus.
Litchy said attaining the status as the first Tree Campus USA in Arkansas shows the
university’s commitment to protecting, caring for and adding trees to the campus.
“This results in a long-term positive impact on our local environment,” she said. “This
honor will also allow students to learn the many benefits trees provide to our
community and share this information with generations to come.”
Litchy is one of the members of the campus tree advisory committee, which meets to
plan and facilitate the goals. Other committee members are Steve Dobbs, director of
plant operations; Lacey Jennen, assistant director of landscape services; Dustin
Blakey, Sebastian County Cooperative Extension Service; Shana McSweeney, UA Fort
Smith student; and Garret Goodson, City of Fort Smith Tree Board.
Jennen, of Fort Smith, said the university’s Tree USA status is significant for the
campus.
“Our campus has been steadfast in promoting urban forestry and its role in our
communities, and this is one more way to support environmental stewardship and
educational opportunities about urban forestry for our campus community,” said
Jennen.
Jennen said UA Fort Smith has had an urban forestry program in place for five years.
“It is very rewarding to be acknowledged by the Arbor Day Foundation for this
program,” said Jennen. “This is a positive recognition for our university, and we hope
other universities will view us as an example and begin the implementation and
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promotion of their campus tree programs as well.”
UA Fort Smith met the required five core standards of tree care and community
engagement in order to receive Tree Campus USA status. Those standards are the
establishment of a campus tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree care
plan, verification of dedicated annual expenditures on the campus tree care plan,
involvement in an Arbor Day observance and the institution of a service-learning project
aimed at engaging the student body.
Litchy also sent several photos with the application, showing UA Fort Smith students
involved in an Arbor Day celebration on campus. She said UA Fort Smith listed six
goals in improving the quality of life on campus through the use of trees.
“Our goals are to ensure proper tree selection,” she said, “promote species diversity,
protect trees from construction, utilize the International Society of Arboriculture’s best
management practices, ensure proper removal and replacement of trees and increase
the awareness of the need for more tree canopy in Fort Smith.”
The Tree Campus USA designation included a recognition plaque and flag from the
Arbor Day Foundation.
John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, said the Tree Campus
USA program will have a long-lasting impact on UA Fort Smith “as it engages college
students and local citizens to plant trees and create healthier communities for people to
enjoy for decades to come.”
Tree Campus USA, supported by a grant from Toyota, was launched in 2008 and
honors colleges and universities, as well as campus and community leaders, for
promoting healthy urban forest management. The Arbor Day Foundation is a non-profit
conservation organization of nearly 1 million members.
Article by: Sondra LaMar, Director of Public Relations
Photo(s) by: Kat Wilson, Photographer, Marketing and Communications Office
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