Howard Payne University was recently honored with 2020 Tree Campus Higher Education® status by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of the university’s commitment to effective urban forest management. HPU has now received the recognition for five consecutive years.
“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 HPU’s participation, air will be purer, water will be cleaner and students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty trees provide.”
The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. HPU achieved the title by meeting the program’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and a student service-learning project. Currently, there are 403 campuses across the United States with this recognition.