RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2016) – For the second consecutive year California Baptist University has earned a Tree Campus USA recognition.

To obtain this distinction, CBU met five core standards set by Tree Campus USA in order to maintain an effective campus forest management. The requirements consist of having a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project.

"Your entire campus community should be proud of your sustained commitment to environmental stewardship," said Mary Sweeney, program manager at Arbor Day Foundation, in an email to CBU on the award. 

Tree Campus USA, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.

"Tree Campus USA is a distinction that the Arbor Day Foundation has come up with that says ‘We are all about trees,'" said Ed Schmachtenberger, manager of grounds and landscaping at CBU.

In December, for Autumn Arbor Day, CBU students, faculty and staff planted trees in parking lots and cultivated areas around existing trees.

Schmachtenberger said CBU has plans to plant up to 50 additional trees around campus.