FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2014
Contact: Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith @sheridan.edu
Sheridan College earns Tree Campus USA honor
Sheridan College has been named a 2013 Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota for the college’s commitment to tree management.
Tree Campus USA is a national program started in 2008 that honors colleges and universities for effective forestry management on campuses and for engaging faculty, staff and students in conservation efforts.
“We are very proud to be recognized as the first Tree Campus USA college in the state of Wyoming,” SC Grounds Department Supervisor Zack Houck said. “The campus not only benefits the environment but it instills pride in the students, faculty and the community as a whole.
Sheridan College achieved the title of Tree Campus USA by meeting the program’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, developing a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures for its campus tree program, observing Arbor Day and organizing student service-learning project.
There will be an Arbor Day event on May 2 at Sheridan College to celebrate this achievement. The public is encouraged to join the college on the front lawn of campus to help plant between 20-30 trees.
“This is really an exciting way to raise environmental awareness from the bottom up, engage the community here on campus and raise our profile for prospective students,” Houck said. “Plant today for a greener tomorrow.”
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of nearly one million members, revolving around the proliferation of trees, according to the group’s website. Toyota sponsors Tree Campus USA honors.
“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.”