BROWNWOOD – March 1, 2017 – Howard Payne University was recently honored with 2016 Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor colleges and universities for their commitment to campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals.
There are approximately 300 Tree Campus USA campuses across the United States. HPU is one of two universities in this region of Texas to hold this designation.
HPU achieved recognition by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, creating a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures for its campus tree program, hosting an Arbor Day observance and facilitating a student service-learning project.
“Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation.
HPU celebrated Texas Arbor Day in November 2016 with a tree-planting ceremony and educational program on planting and pruning trees. Terry Pritchett, HPU’s assistant vice president for facilities and planning, serves as chair of the university’s Campus Tree Advisory Committee.
“HPU is noted for its tree-lined campus,” he said. “We’re proud to be honored with Tree Campus USA recognition and thankful for the beautiful campus God has given us to manage.”
The Arbor Day Foundation has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $46.7 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.