The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized St. Mary’s College of Maryland as a 2012 Tree Campus USA. This distinction acknowledges that St. Mary’s College has met the core standards for effective campus forest management, including having a tree advisory committee and a campus tree-care plan.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as a Tree Campus USA,” said Charles “Chip” Jackson, associate vice president of planning and facilities. “This achievement is shared with the college community—students, faculty, staff—who are all greatly involved in greening our campus and making St. Mary’s College a beautiful, environmentally friendly place to live, learn and work.”

Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 to honor colleges and universities for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. 

“Properly placed trees create a welcoming space for students and staff and can provide shady relief from heat as well as a comfortable and relaxing place to relax, study, or enjoy time with friends,” said John Rosenow, founder and president of the Arbor Day Foundation, in a letter to St. Mary’s. “They also help save money by reducing energy use and improving storm water management. These are all ways in which Tree Campus USA has seen the trees at St. Mary’s College of Maryland thrive, with its beautiful and environmentally inspired campus landscape.”