Frostburg State University Named Tree Campus USA for Fifth Consecutive Year

On Wednesday, April 17, Frostburg State University celebrated being awarded Tree Campus USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the fifth year in a row. Students, faculty, and community members gathered at the clock tower at noon for the celebration, the Declaration of Arbor Day, and a campus tree planting. The event was held in honor of Focus Frostburg an annual day of learning on sustainability and climate awareness.

Frostburg is the third college in the state to have been awarded Tree Campus USA with only five other colleges in Maryland receiving the same award. FSU received this recognition because they met the Tree Campus USA standards which include maintaining a campus tree advisory board, campus tree plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and a student service-learning projects.

The event started with Joe Giger explaining the purpose of the event and the Declaration of Arbor Day.

From Left to Right: Frostburg State University Students - Joe Giger, Madison Lawrence, Olivia Goldstein

Followed by Joe Giger was FSU student Madison Lawrence providing the audience with a few tree statistics. “Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 to 50 percent in energy used for heating. Shade from trees can save up to 175 dollars per year, per structure in air conditioning cost. The planting of trees means improved water quality resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals in streams. In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.”

After Madison Lawrence, Olivia Goldstein gave a couple tree quotes. “He that plants trees loves others besides himself…” – Thomas Fuller.

Next Becky Wilson from the Department of Natural Resources comes to the podium to present FSU with the Tree Campus USA Award. She explains the history of Arbor Day and the dedication it requires to continue to be a candidate for this award. The first Arbor Day in the 1800s planted over a million trees. This year Frostburg will plant 165 trees throughout campus. Frostburg has a dedicated budget and team of people that oversee tree activity. Frostburg excels at having community service projects in their surrounding communities. Wilson thanks, Dr. Sunshine Brosi and her students for being involved outside of campus and making a difference in the community.

“If you plant one tree you are contributing to millions of trees because there are others doing the same act. So it seems so daunting to think about making a difference with the act of planting trees, but the act of planting just one is an exemplified and amplified amend. So that’s how you make a difference with just one tree at a time,” said Becky Wilson.

The remainder of the event was spent planting trees.  

Frostburg continues to encourage colleges and community members in the surrounding areas to participate in Focus Frostburg and tree planting events.

For more information on how planting trees affects communities visit http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/aegis/entertainment/ph-ag-arbor-day-2017-0419-20170417-story.html