Franklin College has been named a 2025 Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing the College’s ongoing commitment to thoughtfully integrating trees and green spaces across campus. The honor marks the 13th consecutive year Franklin College has earned the distinction.
Franklin College earned recognition by upholding the standards required by the Arbor Day Foundation. They include maintaining an advisory committee, setting a campus tree care plan, verifying annual investment in the tree care plan, celebrating Arbor Day and creating a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body.
“Receiving this designation for many years is a source of pride and the result of hard work on the part of our science faculty, our grounds department, and student workers along with volunteers,” said Tom Patz, assistant vice president for physical facilities. “It is a true team effort and investment in the beauty of our campus by sustaining and preserving our campus trees.”
Trees on campus can lower the energy cost by providing shade, reducing extreme heat, improving air quality and boosting physical health benefits. In addition, trees improve students’ mental and cognitive health, provide an appealing aesthetic for campus and create shaded areas for gathering and studying.
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus program is operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and support from professional partner Bartlett Tree Experts.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Its network of more than a million supporters and partners has helped the organization plant more than 500 million trees in forests and communities across more than 60 countries since 1972. The Tree Campus program recognizes schools, universities, and healthcare facilities that utilize trees to improve their communities. Learn more about the impact of the Arbor Day Foundation at www.arborday.org.
Contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185 for more information.