Utah Valley University will celebrate green this Arbor Day, April 26, 2019. It’s obviously the school color, but it also reflects a commitment to sustainability and UVU’s recent designation as a “Tree Campus USA” by the nationwide Arbor Day Foundation.

On Arbor Day, even more green will be added to the campus with a tree planting. Those wishing to participate should gather at the ponds on campus from 1-3 p.m.

“Becoming a Tree Campus shows the campus community our continued commitment to having a vibrant and healthy urban forest for all to enjoy,” said Frank Young, UVU’s associate vice president for facilities planning.

Arbor Day is a day set aside to raise awareness about the importance of trees. The first Arbor Day was held in Nebraska in 1872. It quickly grew to a national and international day of reflection on the role of trees in the environment. At UVU, there is a conscious effort to create green spaces. Planting trees is an important component of that vision.

“We wanted to increase our canopy for the beautification of campus,” said UVU’s arborist Bradley Swindlehurst. “It will increase the study areas for students and will improve our environment for the students and the city. It will bring awareness for people to decide in the future if they want to plant some varieties of trees. They create more oxygen, provide shade, keep the temperatures down, and help with climate change.”

The Arbor Day Foundation welcomed UVU to the group with the Tree Campus USA distinction and wrote, “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. Utah Valley 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.”

There are more than 350 campuses in the United States that have achieved the recognition as a Tree Campus USA.