Tree Campus USA® recognizes college and university campuses that
- Effectively manage their campus trees,
- Connect with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy urban forests, and
- Strive to engage their student population in service-learning forestry projects.
Texas is leading the nation with 32 Tree Campus USA participants.
- Abilene Christian University
- Texas A&M University
- Texas Christian University
- Texas State University
- The University of Texas at Austin
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- The University of Texas at Tyler
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- University of Dallas
- University of North Texas
- University of North Texas at Dallas
- University of Texas at El Paso
- William Marsh Rice University
- Dallas Baptist University
- Dallas College – Cedar Valley Campus
- Dallas College – Richland Campus
- East Texas Baptist University
- Howard Payne University
- Lone Star College Montgomery
- McLennan Community College
- Sam Houston State University
- Schreiner University
- Southwestern University
- St. Edward’s University
- Tarrant County College Southeast
Why participate?
Environmental stewardship
Energy conservation
Trees help conserve energy by casting summer shade and blocking chilly winter winds. Strategically placed trees help conserve energy around your home or school.
Stormwater control
To cope with storm runoff, cities must construct expensive systems to capture and control stormwater. Trees intercept rainfall that would otherwise run off of impervious surfaces such as rooftops, roads, and parking lots.
Clean & cool air
As a by-product of commerce and development, urban areas generate heat and pollution. Large shade trees filter air and reduce ambient temperatures.
Community Investment
Property values
One healthy shade tree can increase property values up to 10%. Invest in your home or community by planting trees. Explore the free National Tree Benefit Calculator by iTree to see your canopy investment.
Job creation
The care and management of trees contributes substantially to the Texas economy, providing an estimated $4.7 billion in industry output and over 57,000 jobs.
Community well-being and human health
Many studies have shown that a treed environment helps reduce stress and helps people focus better and stay on task. Neighborhoods with healthy trees have lower crime rates and street trees reduce the frequency and severity of traffic accidents. Explore our webpage on Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives Initiative.
Funding opportunities
Eligible communities and organizations that participate in our Community Forestry Grants program can receive bonus points towards their grant applications.
Grassroots efforts & self-determination in Texas communities
The Arbor Day Foundation programs are a free framework for your community to decide how you want to support and celebrate trees in your community.
Enrollment standards
Tree Campus USA enrollment standards
Standard 1: Tree advisory committee
Your community must include a representative from each of the stakeholders present in your institution: a student, a faculty member, a member of facility management, and a member of the community (typically an urban forester, landscape architect, etc). Additional representatives from other groups that are interested in participating are welcome to join.
Standard 2: Campus tree care plan
The Campus Tree Care Plan will be composed of 10 separate sections that are goal oriented and provide clear policies based on current arboricultural standards. Here is an example of a comprehensive tree care plan.
Standard 3: Tree program with dedicated annual expenditures
To qualify for Tree Campus Higher Education designation, finances must be allocated for its annual tree campus program. It is recommended that campuses work toward an annual expenditure of $3 per full-time enrolled student.
Standard 4: Arbor Day observance
The council that oversees your community must issue a proclamation declaring the observance of Arbor Day in your community, and an Arbor Day celebration must take place.
Standard 5: Service-learning project
Service-learning projects are an opportunity to directly collaborate and engage with students related to trees and can be part of campus or community-focused initiative.