Tree Campus USA
Why Tree Campus USA?
It is difficult to imagine what Boston College’s campus would be like without the thousands of maintained trees that grow on campus. From the Linden trees that frame Gasson Hall to the towering walnut trees in the Pine Tree Preserve, students may not think about trees often but they certainly would notice their absence. Bringing the ecological and cultural benefits of trees to the forefront is one of the goals of Boston College’s certification as a Tree Campus USA. Started by the Arbor Day Foundation, Tree Campus Higher Education recognizes colleges and universities dedicated to sustaining healthy community forests.
Boston College is proud to be one of the 402 campuses continually striving to achieve that goal as it enters its fourth year with the program. As in years before, Landscape Services in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability will continue to foster appreciation and care for trees through a campus tree advisory committee composed of students, faculty, and Newton Community members, a detailed campus tree-care plan, and events such as an Arbor day celebration and service-learning project. The importance of trees remains a key piece to the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems as a whole. Because trees operate on longer time scales and at different paces compared to humans, they have the ability to communicate important information and lessons if we are willing to listen. So, be on the lookout for trees both as the subjects of exciting events and as you take your next walk through campus!
Previous Events
2023
Tree Scavenger Hunt using the TreeMapBC app
Between April 11-13, Boston College students were tasked with finding designated trees around campus. Clues were shared via email to participating students who then deciphered the hints and set off to find the trees. By mid-day on the 13th, all of our trees were found and we had our winner; to celebrate the student participation, we gave gift cards to our first and second-place champions! Students shared with us that they had loads of fun participating in the challenge and we are grateful for the chance to organize it.
Richard Primack Speaker Event: The Importance of Trees on Ecosystem Services, Climate Change Resiliency, and Mental Health
View the video of Dr. Primack's presentation here.
2022
Tom Wessels Speaker Event: Co-Evolution: A Model for Sustainability
Presentation and Guided Walk through the Webster Conservation Area
On April 29th, 2022, Tom Wessels visited Boston College to deliver a presentation titled "Co-Evolution: A Model for Sustainability" and guided students on an interpretive walk through the Webster Conservation Area to celebrate Arbor Day. He is a terrestrial ecologist and professor at Antioch University New England, where he founded the master's degree program in Conservation Biology. Wessels has conducted workshops on ecology and sustainability throughout the country for over three decades. Additionally, he is the author of numerous books, his latest being Granite, Fire, and Fog: The Natural and Cultural History of Acadia.
View the video of Tom Wessels' presentation here.
4C Tree Planting Ceremony
During Green Week 2021 Boston College landscape services, the Office of Sustainability, students, and the 4C tree project collaborated to plant 5 trees on campus in memory of those who died of COVID-19. At this planting ceremony, the founders of the 4C project, JoJo Parks ('24) and Elizabeth Sockwell (Green Newton), Father Vicini, and several students speak about the intersection of public health, environmental justice, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The link to the video is here.
To read more about the 4C project click here.
Featured Trees
