William Penn University Honored With 2023 Tree Campus USA Award
William Penn University was recently honored with the 2023 Tree Campus USA Award at the Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources April 4th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.
“The Tree Campus USA award is a symbol for universities and colleges who continually strive to educate and engage their students and surrounding community about the benefits of trees and exhibit excellence in their tree management,” says State Forester Jeff Goerndt. “Your campus has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa colleges and universities, by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations.”
William Penn University (WPU) is one of only eight Tree Campus USA award winners in Iowa. To receive the award, a campus must, at a minimum, have a campus Tree Advisory Committee, a tree care plan, a tree program with dedicated annual expenditures, an annual Arbor Day observance, and a service learning project to engage the student body.
Plans to celebrate Arbor Day, April 26, include planting new trees on the WPU campus. In addition to becoming a Tree Campus USA recipient, the University will start long-term planning to develop an arboretum for student and community use as an outdoor learning lab as well as for increasing natural habitats and for the pleasure of enjoying nature.
Partners and committee members include local Trees Forever members, Soil & Water Conservation District Coordinators, WPU Advancement staff, Sodexo Grounds & Facilities staff at WPU, Mahaska County Conservation Board staff, Green Iowa AmeriCorps members, WPU faculty/staff, other volunteers, and WPU students.
