Auburn University earns Tree Campus USA designation for eighth consecutive year

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Auburn University has earned the Tree Campus USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation for an eighth consecutive year, recognizing the university's commitment to promoting healthy trees and engaging staff and students in conservation efforts.

Auburn's campus is now home to more than 8,200 trees, and the count continues to grow. Auburn planted two new live oak trees at Toomer's Corner Feb. 18 as part of its commitment to having vibrant trees at the corner. The oaks were replaced after the Magnolia Avenue oak was heavily damaged by fire.

The university has supported the Arbor Day Foundation's five core values by establishing a tree advisory committee, creating a campus tree-care plan, dedicating an annual budget for tree care, establishing an Arbor Day observance and sponsoring student service-learning projects.

Auburn University Horticulture Professor Gary Keever said, "As a lifelong tree-hugger, Tree Campus USA recertification is a yearly goal of mine. I am honored to be a part of the process and grateful for the support of individuals from across campus who have made this possible, particularly Facilities Management, who are committed to the preservation of our trees."

In 2015, Facilities Management reinforced its commitment to tree care and preservation by hiring an arborist certified by the International Society of Aboriculture.

Tree Campus USA is an Arbor Day Foundation program. For more information about the program, go to https://www.arborday.org/programs/treecampususa/.

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Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.