Because of its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation, Cornell was recently recognized as a Tree Campus U.S.A. for 2009; the first time an Ivy League institution has received such a title.

The Tree Campus U.S.A. program was created last year by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor colleges and universities “that practice sound campus forestry,” according to a press release.

Yesterday, as part of the University’s official Sustainability Day, the Tree Campus U.S.A. program brought together members of the Cornell and Ithaca communities on the Arts Quad to participate in a tree planting event.

Similar events will also be held this fall at Duke University, the University of Washington, the University of Maryland and Tulane University. Approximately 400 trees will be planted through these events.

Michelle Scribner, representative of the Arbor Day Foundation, said that her organization aims “to inspire the planting of trees.”

Diggin’ up holes: Erica Gutierrez ’10, Adam Ravaret ’12 and members of the Arbor Day Foundation plant a tree on the Arts Quad.According to Scribner, universities are designated as a Tree Campus U.S.A. if they have an environmental advisory committee, engage the student body with environmental awareness initiatives and provide evidence for a campus tree-care plan with a prepared budget and annual expenditures.

Those who assisted the event planted trees around campus which are destined to provide shade for students, reduce water runoff and embellish the landscape.

The event was also supported by the Toyota Corporation, a partner of the Arbor Day Foundation since almost a decade ago.

According to Jennifer Boettcher, also a representative of the Arbor Day Foundation, “Toyota is a very [environmentally] conscious company. They take the environment very seriously.” Boettcher said that this commitment is demonstrated by their partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation as well as some of their other sustainable initiatives.

Several students, both undergraduate and graduate, attended the event in representation of particular on-campus organizations.

Erica Gutiérrez grad, chair of the Sustainability Committee in the Graduate Student Assembly, said that the tree-planting event demonstrated the “efforts going on in campus for an increased sustainability leadership.” Gutiérrez said she believes that the University is truly addressing the issue of environmental conservation at all levels. “I believe that the planting of these trees is very symbolic. It reminds us that the small things still really matter.”

Similarly, Adam Raveret ’12, chair of the S.A. Environmental Committee, said that students are becoming environmentally aware by joining efforts across different student organizations. “We are bringing everyone together on the same page,” Raveret said.

The University’s administration was represented by Kyu-Jung Whang, vice president for facilities services, and Donna Goss, communications manager for the same division.

Whang said the planting of trees came about very timely — in light of the University’s celebration of Sustainability Day and the recent publication of its latest sustainability report. Goss said that the Tree Campus U.S.A title recognizes “the things we are doing right.”

John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation, said in a press release, “We applaud Cornell University’s commitment to improving the urban forest on its campus, and for demonstrating to students why it is so important to plant trees. By striving to follow the best tree-care practices and encouraging students to plant trees on campus, Cornell University is helping the next generation learn first-hand the importance of giving back to the earth.”

More information about the Arbor Day Foundation and its Tree Campus U.S.A. program can be found at www.arborday.org.