CCGA earns Tree Campus USA designation

Brunswick, GA – The College of Coastal Georgia has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA college for its commitment to sustaining its tree canopy. At the 2017 State Arbor Day celebration on February 14, Coastal Georgia was among 19 other University System of Georgia colleges acknowledged by the Arbor Day Foundation.

In observance of the College’s recognition, a 2017 Arbor Day celebration will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 23 at the Wilkinson yard arm in the pedestrian mall.

“Receiving the Tree Campus USA Award from the National Arbor Foundation for the first time shows that CCGA’s landscaping department, staff, faculty, students and our community partners take great pride in how we maintain our campus and community tree canopies,” said Paul Melchor, Plant Operations Assistant Director and Tree Committee Chair.

The Tree Campus USA program helps colleges and universities around the country establish and manage their trees effectively, all while connecting them with the community to promote healthy forests and engage students in urban forestry.

To earn the title of Tree Campus USA, schools must meet five standards, including the establishment of a campus tree advisory committee, a campus tree care plan, a campus tree program with dedicated annual expenditures, a service-learning project, and an Arbor Day observance. One of the standards for which Coastal Georgia was honored is holding a ceremonial planting of four trees.

“Our commitment to our beautiful campus, and proactively managing and caring for our tree canopy, is a real point of pride for our campus,” said CCGA President Greg Aloia.

“It is not only our responsibility to be good stewards of the forest ecosystems on the campus, it is our duty to encourage and inspire our students to take their environmental knowledge into their own communities, and to grow the next generation of conservation leaders.”

For information about College of Coastal Georgia’s Tree Care Plan, visit www.ccga.edu. For information about Tree Campus USA and other programs of the Arbor Day Foundation, visit www.arborday.org.

Contact: Brittany Tate

(912) 279-5938