Purdue University receives Tree Campus USA Award for 14th consecutive year

Volunteers work with the Grounds department to plant a tree at the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex on April 28. Purdue University was presented with the Tree Campus USA Award at the event. Photo provided by Administrative Operations Communications. Download image

For the 14th consecutive year, Purdue University received the Tree Campus USA Award, which recognizes college campuses committed to fostering a healthy environment for trees and green space.

“The Administrative Operations organization recognizes the importance of having healthy trees and green spaces on campus and understands how beneficial they are for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” said Michael B. Cline, senior vice present. “Our Grounds department works hard to meet the award criteria and they are fortunate to have the help and support of several campus partners, including Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability and the Purdue Arboretum.”

The university was officially presented with the award April 28 during an Arbor Day tree planting, part of a monthlong celebration of Earth Day. Grounds; the Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability department; the Purdue Arboretum; and the College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the event. Volunteers helped plant 70 native trees at the new David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex.

The tree planting event contributed to Purdue’s 2020 Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan goal to plant 3,728 new trees on campus between July 2020 and July 2024. The total number of trees was determined by doubling 1,869, which represents the year Purdue was founded.

“We are very appreciative of our volunteers who help us enhance the campus landscape and meet our goal,” said Phil Richey, director of Grounds. “These opportunities also provide our volunteers with a sense of pride, knowing that they are making a long-lasting difference on our campus.”

The Grounds department works year-round to achieve the tree planting goal and maintain the standards of the Tree Campus USA Award. 

“We are strategic with the different species of trees we plant in order to create and maintain a healthy, diverse tree canopy on campus,” Richey said.

For more information about tree planting efforts on campus, please review a recent “Purdue Today” article.

Grounds and Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability are part of the Administrative Operations organization. Administrative Operations supports the university through safe, reliable and transformative services. Fostering a healthy environment for trees to thrive is just one way the organization continues to power Purdue.