Tech achieved the 2011 designation by meeting the required five core standards for sustainable campus forestry: a tree advisory committee, 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.

“The award and our participation assist Georgia Tech in completing the goals set out in the Campus Landscape Master Plan,” said Hyacinth Ide, associate director of landscape services. One of those goals is to increase campus tree canopy coverage to a minimum of 55 percent. Other efforts made by Facilities last year included organizing tree plantings, planning for a tree inventory in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and promoting environmental stewardship to students by involving them in tree care plan activities.

Tech’s campus finds itself in the center of the “city in a forest,” occupying 400 acres in midtown Atlanta. The city boasts 36 percent tree coverage, the highest among all major U.S. cities.

The Arbor Day Foundation launched Tree Campus USA in 2008 to honor colleges, universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. The program is supported by a grant from Toyota.