Tennessee Tech’s campus recognized as certified arboretum by Tennessee Urban Forestry Council
The designation comes after four years of being recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Tennessee Technological University’s campus is now officially recognized as a level two arboretum by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, a unique achievement that comes from a series of criteria including diversity of trees and the upkeep of the space.
According to an article on Tennessee Technological University’s website, DeLayne Miller, who serves as the university’s sustainability manager, said this achievement is recognition of the hard work of numerous individuals. Miller is quoted as saying, “Tennessee Tech has been intentional about maintaining green spaces on campus – even with all the new construction. It’s important to us that sustainability and environmental responsibility are not just ideas students hear in the classroom, but values that they see lived out in the design and daily practices of our campus. Several people have worked over many years to create an environment that draws in the scenic beauty we have all around us here in the Upper Cumberland area and allows our community to experience nature in meaningful ways, without leaving campus. So, we’re excited to see those efforts recognized by the TUFC with this certification as the Tennessee Tech Arboretum.”
The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council’s website describes its Tennessee Arboretum Program’s mission as “To develop a network of arboreta across Tennessee that are well-maintained, open to the public and proactively utilized for experiential education about trees and the important role they play in communities.” In order for a space to be designated as a certified arboretum, it must demonstrate four key requirements: tree diversity, provide education for the public, model stewardship and maintenance of the space, and renewal by continually seeking recertification and development.
As a level two arboretum, Tennessee Technological University’s campus hosts 90 species of trees, including rarities like the Arizona Cypress and the Chinese Pistache. The campus is also home to a pair of 300 year old Post Oak trees that have received a separate designation from the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council as Landmark and Historic Trees.
Kevin Bolger, who serves as the council operations and program coordinator for the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, said of the school’s achievement, “Our goal at TUFC is to see a certified arboretum within a 30-minute drive of every Tennessee community. With its rich diversity of trees and plants and its pristine, welcoming campus feel, Tennessee Tech has been a valuable partner in that effort. We hope families and nature-seekers in the Upper Cumberland and beyond will make a trip to Tennessee Tech to see our state’s newest certified arboretum.”
For more information about Tennessee Technological University, visit the school’s website.