Camarillo, Calif., April 15, 2014 – For a second consecutive year, CSU Channel Islands (CI) has earned recognition as a “Tree Campus USA” from the Arbor Day Foundation. Approximately 200 campuses across the country have achieved the distinction, which salutes colleges and universities for their environmental stewardship, healthy management of campus forests, and engagement of staff and students in conservation goals.
CI achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’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 student service-learning projects.
“This recognition reflects the commitment of CI’s entire campus community, which cares about making our environment stunning and sustainable,” said Dave Chakraborty, Associate Vice President for Operations, Planning & Construction. “Not only do our outdoor spaces make CI a desirable place to live, learn, work and play, but they also provide a valuable opportunity for learning about conserving and replenishing the resources we use.”
Sustainability is one of the University’s strategic goals. The 1,200-acre campus has been carefully planned to preserve natural open space and native vegetation. CI’s 135-acre main campus is home to more than 2,025 trees of 110 varieties, ranging in age from newly planted to historic. The extended campus includes a 370-acre regional park and several acres of restored creek bed. Over the past year, more than 700 new trees have been planted. An ongoing fundraising campaign called “Leave Your Mark” invites donors to adopt a tree, paver or bench, commemorated with a personalized plaque, to help aid in the effort. In addition, students in CI classes and the Green Generation Club frequently engage in planting, restoration, weeding, composting, water audits and other conservation efforts on campus.
The University will receive formal recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation on April 22, as CI celebrates its third annual Earth Extravaganza, a campus and community celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day. The event being held from 1 to 4 p.m. at CI’s Central Mall will feature a combination of “green” festivities, speakers, music, demonstrations, information booths, vendors, and service opportunities.
Other planned events include:
“Tapped” Film Showings
Monday – Thursday, April 21 – 24 at 12 p.m. at Ojai Hall Lobby
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce? This timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never to become commodity: our water.
Pollinator ConservationThursday, April 24 from 1 – 4 p.m. at Long Grade Creek
Join Facilities Services and the Green Generation Club in assisting the conservation of pollinators such as the Monarch Butterfly by planting flowers near Long Grade Creek on campus.
E-Waste Day
Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the A3 Parking Lot
CI’s Center for Community Engagement is providing free e-waste recycling services to CI and the local community. Anything that plugs into an electric socket will be accepted (i.e. blow dryers, toasters, computers, etc.) It’s quick and easy – just drive by and drop off your e-waste.
For more information on CI sustainability, visit http://www.csuci.edu/sustainability/ or contact Austin Eriksson at 805-437-3507 or Austin.eriksson@csuci.edu. More information about Tree Campus USA is available at http://www.arborday.org/programs/treecampususa/.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.