ALLIANCE, Ohio – For the eighth consecutive year, the University of Mount Union has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a 2017 Tree Campus USA for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

In order to obtain this recognition, the University had to meet five standards of conservation. These standards include maintaining a tree advisory committee, developing a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures to its campus tree program, holding an Arbor Day observance and promoting a student learning service project.

“It means a lot to both our campus community and the city of Alliance to once again have the distinction of Tree Campus USA,” said Anson Gross, grounds and fleet supervisor at Mount Union. “We are a progressive and sustainable University, and although the award itself is great, to see people enjoying the trees we plant and the green spaces we have is even better.”

Mount Union is also taking its green initiatives a step further this year in terms of the university’s academic curriculum.

Beginning in the fall of 2019, Mount Union will offer a minor in sustainability. The minor is centered around the three pillars of sustainability – the environment, the human social system and the economic system.

“Sustainability perspectives and practices are emerging as essential tools to have in today’s ever-changing world,” said Jamie Greiner, sustainability and outreach manager at Mount Union. “This minor will serve as a compliment to any major and provide skills that can be directly applied to students’ professional and personal practices in the future.”

After its founding in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters and valued partners. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation.