April 8, 2020 — The Arbor Day Foundation has given CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) 2019 Tree Campus USA recognition for the 8th year in a row.
The designation as a Tree Campus is in honor of the University’s commitment to managing and maintaining trees on campus, installing native trees, continuing water conservation practices and reducing pesticide and herbicide use.
“If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time,” read a letter from the Tree Campus Foundation to CSUCI. “Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being and energy use. CSUCI is stepping up to do its part. As a result of your commitment to effective urban forest management, you are helping to provide a solution to these global challenges.”
Because of the efforts of the campus’ Grounds staff, CSUCI is on target to have 40% of the campus canopied by trees this year.
“We’re accomplishing what we wanted to, which is to grow the tree canopy for the campus,” said Grounds Landscape Manager Jason Hughes. “Our goal is to create an outdoor educational environment for the campus community that contributes to the work and education of the students.”
The foundation recognizes Tree Campuses every year in honor of Arbor Day, which falls this year on Friday, April 24.
Hughes said the Grounds team planted 57 trees removed 12, and serviced 772 in 2019, sometimes with the help of students doing service learning projects. The trees installed included coast live oak, valley oak, toyon (Christmas berry), western redbuds and California sycamore.
“We are a designated Tree Campus and a Bee Campus so all of our plants have to be sustainable and drought tolerant, but also an environment that attracts bees,” Hughes said. “We are also trying to do less chemical treatment for the weeds and doing a lot more physical pulling.”
When crews plant trees, there is always an eye toward design. Hughes said crews planted crepe myrtles along the street that runs in front of the John Spoor Broome Library with particular attention to color.
“These are a dynamic red crepe myrtle,” Hughes said. “We’re going with the school colors (red and silver) so that as they mature, you’ll drive onto campus and have all these vibrant red trees during the spring and summer.”
Currently there are 385 campuses across the United States with Tree Campus recognition. In 2019, Tree Campus USA schools collectively planted 34,515 trees and engaged 33,432 tree planters — helping The Arbor Day Foundation meet its goal to plant 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspire 5 million tree planters by 2022.
“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 California State University Channel Islands' participation air will be purer, water cleaner and your students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty the trees provide.”
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at www.arborday.org.