Hocking College (Hocking) has earned recognition as a Tree Campus USA for 2024 by the Arbor Day Foundation, honoring the college’s continued commitment to effective campus tree care and student engagement in environmental stewardship.
The recognition was announced during the Tree City USA Awards Program hosted by the Village of Middleport on April 17. The annual event celebrates Ohio communities, schools and utilities that demonstrate leadership in growing and managing healthy tree canopies.
As part of the celebration, attendees took part in a ceremonial tree planting in Middleport to mark Arbor Day and recognize the important role trees play in improving local environments and quality of life.
“Hocking is proud to be recognized as a Tree Campus USA once again,” said Hocking’s Tree Care and Forestry Manager and School of Natural Resources Faculty, Dale Hatfield. “Tree Campus USA is designed to help non-tree people understand the importance of trees on campus and in our communities. It’s a day to celebrate trees and recognize why they are so important, as they can often be overlooked.”
Hocking achieved the Tree Campus USA designation by meeting five key standards set by the Arbor Day Foundation, including maintaining a campus tree advisory committee, implementing a tree care plan, dedicating annual funding for tree management, hosting an Arbor Day observance and providing service-learning opportunities for students.
The Tree Campus USA program, part of the Arbor Day Foundation’s larger Tree Campus Higher Education initiative, recognizes colleges and universities across the country that prioritize the environmental and community benefits of trees. Campuses that earn this distinction help improve air and water quality, reduce energy costs, create shaded gathering spaces and support student well-being.
More information about the program is available at treecampushighered.org.
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