SU Students Assist Salisbury with Tree City Recognition

Tuesday October 20, 2020

Students from class assisting with Tree City SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University has earned Tree Campus Recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for five consecutive years. This year, SU students took the efforts in beyond the confines of campus, assisting in the City of Salisbury’s earning 2020 Tree City recognition.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Its goal is to encourage better care of the nation’s community forests, and increase public awareness of the many social, economic and environmental benefits urban forests provide.

Municipalities achieve Tree City recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget and an Arbor Day observance or proclamation.

Students in Dr. Sarah Surak’s environmental senior seminar met with Amanda Pollack, director of infrastructure and development for the City to determine how they could assist in sustainability efforts. Pollack described a number of projects the City was interested in pursuing, but faced time and staff limitations to engage. The students chose the Tree City certification and throughout the spring semester met with City departments to gather information needed for the application.

“The work provided by the students far exceeded our expectations and directly contributed to the City submitting a successful Tree City application,” said Pollack. “We look forward to continuing to work with environmental studies classes in the future.”

Students drafted a budget and successfully pitched their plan to roll out the program and celebrate future renewals to members of the Salisbury Green Team, which oversees the initiative.

The students also drafted the resolution for the City, which was one of the requirements for certification.

“This project not only allowed our seniors to put into practice the skills and knowledge they have gained throughout their years of study, but it also afforded them the opportunity to support their local community,” said Surak. “I very much appreciate the City’s willingness to engage with and support our students.”

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website.