The William Woods University Rotaract Club celebrated Arbor Day by planting a tree Wednesday on the campus popularly called "The Woods." The Sunset Maple was planted in front of Bartley Residence Hall on 12th Street.
The WWU Conservation Club participated in the tree planting and, during the event, the university was honored as a Tree Campus USA for the ninth year in a row. Tree Campus USA, an Arbor Day Foundation program, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.
In 2010, William Woods was the first university in Missouri to achieve this status and it is now one of 10 in the state. Ann Koenig, a forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation, will present WWU's Tree Campus USA recognition plaque and materials.
"Your diligence in improving the environment and quality of life at William Woods University contributes to a healthier, more sustainable world for us all," Lauren Weyers, program coordinator for the Arbor Day Foundation, said in a letter announcing the honor. "Your entire campus community should be proud of this sustained commitment to environmental stewardship."
Student organizations at William Woods have celebrated Arbor Day since 2009, working with donors to plant new trees on campus. Trees have been planted in memory of people and in honor of a graduating class, but mostly to enhance the biodiversity of The Woods. Truescape and its owner, Nathan Real, donated this year's tree.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, "If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being and energy use. William Woods University 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."
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Tree Campus USA is a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota.
To obtain this distinction, William Woods University has met the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus USA, including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.