APSU recognized by Arbor Day Foundation as Tree Campus USA for third year

February 28, 2018 |

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University has received recognition for the third year in a row by the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing the campus as a Tree Campus USA.

To obtain this distinction, Austin Peay State University has met the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus USA, including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects. 

Austin Peay State University Campus. (APSU)

The submission was headed up by Wes Powell, assistant director for Landscape and Grounds at APSU.

In addition to the award, the Austin Peay campus was recently highlighted in the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA Winter 2018 E-Newsletter for its efforts to inventory the entire campus’ tree inventory with the help of student David Woods, Powell and Geosciences faculty member, Chris Gentry.

The project was initiated as a result of a need to remove non-native invasive species and estimate the potential impact from the looming threat of the Emerald Ash Borer. While the data collection is ongoing, the 190-acre campus in downtown Clarksville has approximately 2,500 trees.

“Being a Tree Campus helps set us apart from other universities,” Powell said. “By maintaining a diverse and healthy urban forest we are able to provide beautiful greenscapes for the campus to enjoy, as well as many environmental benefits such as pollution reduction, storm water management and reduction of heat island effects.

“Our mission is to provide opportunities for education and research, to promote conservation and stewardship of trees and to demonstrate the value and use of trees in the Tennessee landscape.”

The APSU Tree Advisory Committee consists of:

• Carol Baskauf, Biology Professor, Plant Ecology, Plant Physiology, Biostatistics APSU
• Marc Brunner, Architect, Director of University Design and Construction APSU
• Dwayne Estes, Associate Biology Professor, Botanical Diversity and Plant Ecology, Principal Investigator in the Center of Excellence for Field Biology and Director of the APSU Herbarium
• Christopher Gentry, Associate Professor of Geography, Biogeography, Dendroecology, GIS, Remote Sensing, Director of Office of Undergraduate research APSU
• Carl Gerhold, Assistant Director-Environmental Health and Safety, Sustainable fee Committee Chair APSU
• Karla Kean, Ag. Extension Agent TSU, TN Urban Forestry Council, International Society of Arboriculture
• Josh Kraft, Biology student APSU
• Wes Powell, Assistant Director-Landscapes and Grounds APSU
• Katherine Stevenson, Clarksville City Forester, TN Urban Forestry Council
• Robert Howard, Biology student APSU
• Alexandra Wills, Director for the Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement APSU

For the full story about the University’s tree inventory effort, visit http://www.apsu.edu/alumni-magazine/woods.php

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