Embry-Riddle Earns Tree Campus Higher Education Distinction for Effective Urban Forest Management

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 30, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus has earned 2020 Tree Campus Higher Education recognition for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

A program of the Arbor Day Foundation, the Tree Campus Higher Education distinction recognizes Embry-Riddle’s leadership in promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. Embry-Riddle is one of 403 recognized Tree Campuses across the United States.

To obtain the distinction, a college or university must meet five core standards for sustainable campus forestry. Embry-Riddle became a tree-friendly campus by having a tree advisory committee; a campus tree care plan; student service-learning projects related to trees; an Arbor Day observance (pandemic protocols permitting); and dedicated annual tree-care expenditures.

Management of trees on Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus is supervised by Grounds Supervisor Jason Maldonado, under the direction of Kevin M. Kreide, associate vice president for facilities.

“Healthy trees and green spaces enhance the quality of campus life for our students and employees,” Kreide said. “Jason and his team has done an outstanding job in protecting natural resources on campus and engaging student leaders in promoting our sustainability goals. I’m grateful for the hard work of many people across campus who made the Tree Campus distinction possible.”

“Tree Campuses and their students set examples for not only their student bodies but the surrounding communities showcasing how trees create a healthier environment,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Because of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s participation, air will be purer, water cleaner and students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty trees provide.”

The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus Higher Education colleges and universities invested more than $51 million in campus forest management last year. This work directly supports the Arbor Day Foundation’s Time for Trees initiative — an unprecedented effort to plant 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspire 5 million tree planters by 2022. Last year, Tree Campus Higher Education schools have collectively planted 39,178 trees and engaged 81,535 tree planters — helping us work toward these critical goals.

More information about the program is available at treecampushighered.org.                                                                                                   

About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.