James Madison University is proud to be a part of the Tree Campus USA program. The university received its Tree Campus USA status by the Arbor Day Foundation in 2017 and continues to meet the program’s standards year after year. Colleges and universities are required to meet five core standards of tree care and community engagement each year.
Standard 1 – Campus Tree Advisory Committee
Meet JMU’s Campus Tree Advisory Committee:
- Abe Kaufman, Facilities Engineering and Construction, Energy Conservation and Sustainability Manager
- Ali Sloop, Facilities Engineering and Construction, Stormwater Coordinator
- Brandan Baker, Facilities Management Landscaping, Senior Horticulturist/IPM Tech
- Chelsea Thomas, Facilities Engineering and Construction, Stormwater Specialist
- Elena Finelli, Student Representative
- Vacant, EJC Arboretum, Director
- Jason Campbell, Facilities Management Landscaping, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Supervisor
- Jeremy Harold, City of Harrisonburg Public Works, Greenspace Manager, ISA Certified Arborist
- Mikaela Schmitt-Harsh, Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies and Biology, Assistant Professor, ISA Certified Arborist
- Nate Brown, Facilities Engineering and Construction, Sustainability Analyst
- Wes Runion, City of Harrisonburg Public Works, Environmental Specialist, ISA Certifed Arborist
If you are interested in joining this committee or have any questions about JMU's Tree Campus program, please contact Ali Sloop.
Standard 2 – Campus Tree Care Plan
A Campus Tree Care Plan should be flexible enough to fit the needs and circumstances of the particular campus. The Tree Care Plan should be goal oriented and provide the opportunity to set good policy and clear guidance for planting, maintaining, and removing trees. It also provides education to the campus community, citizens, contractors, and consultants about the importance of the campus forest and the protection and maintenance of trees as part of the growth and land development process.
JMU's Campus Tree Care Plan is in the process of being updated. It will be available here soon.
Standard 3 – Campus Tree Program with Dedicated Annual Expenditures
A college campus, to be designated a Tree Campus USA, must allocate finances for its annual campus tree program. Evidence should be shown that an annual work plan has been established and expenditures dedicated towards that work plan.
Standard 4 – Arbor Day Observance
An Arbor Day observance provides a golden opportunity to educate the campus community on the benefits of the trees on their campus property and in the community. The Arbor Day observance can be on the campus or held in conjunction with the community where the campus is located. Your observance may be held at an appropriate time for your campus as long as it is related to trees in some way.
Standard 5 – Service Learning Project
The Service Learning Project should be an outreach of the spirit of the Tree Campus USA initiative. This project should provide an opportunity to engage the student population with projects related to trees and can be part of a campus or community initiative.
For more Tree Campus information, feel free to visit the links below:
Arbor Day's Tree Campus USA Program
2021 Tree Campus Report - Highlights
