Student Life

Arbor Day Foundation Honors NCC with Tree Campus USA Recognition

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From left: NCC Master Gardener Ken White, North Carolina Forest Service Nash County Ranger Bill Lewis and NCC President Dr. Bill Carver

Nash Community College has received 2015 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. The College is one of 11 campuses in North Carolina and more than 150 in the nation to receive the recognition. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals.

​The honor is being awarded by North Carolina Forest Service Nash County Ranger Bill Lewis during ​Thursday, April 21. The campus will celebrate Nash Recycles Day the same day as a drop-off site for paper documents, electronics and prescription medications in partnership with Pro Shred and​ Nash​ County Sheriff’s Office.

Nash Community College achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning project. Currently there are 254 campus across the United States with this recognition.

“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.” This dedication to the campus has earned Nash Community College its designation as a Tree Campus USA — an award reflecting the unwavering commitment of the people and leaders of Nash Community College to lead by example, to continue to give hope to not only its residents but to all North Carolinians.

​”As I often say, our campus’ commitment to the community is ​evident in everything we do. The Tree USA designation recognizes Nash Community College’s ongoing efforts to create an environment of appreciation of natural resources and conservation…one that Nash County citizens can enjoy for many years to come,” NCC President Dr. Bill Carver said.​
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization that has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $36.8 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.