Purdue University to receive Tree Campus USA award at Earth Week tree planting today

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University will receive its eighth consecutive Tree Campus USA award at the upcoming Earth Week/Arbor Day tree planting activity Thursday (April 20).

This award is given to campuses that meet the following five standards outlined by the Arbor Day Foundation: maintaining a tree advisory committee, utilizing a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures toward trees, holding an Arbor Day observance and organizing student service-learning projects.

“Receiving the Tree Campus USA award for the eighth straight year is an honor,” said Michael Gulich, director of campus master planning and sustainability. “Holding this ceremony in conjunction with the Earth Week tree planting is a great way to highlight our continuous planting and tree-care efforts.”

The award will be presented to university representatives during a brief ceremony at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the parking lot just east of Horticulture Park off of McCormick Road. Following the presentation, the Grounds department will demonstrate the proper way to plant a tree, and in conjunction with the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department, a group of pre-registered volunteers will plant trees and shrubs in Horticulture Park.

“Nearly 70 trees and shrubs of over 25 varieties, which have been growing under the care of the Purdue Arboretum for the last few years, will be planted at this event,” says Paul Siciliano, professor of horticulture and landscape architecture and director of the Purdue Arboretum. “All will be native varieties, some of which include a Northern Pecan, a Nannyberry Viburnum, a Shellbark Hickory, some Balsam Poplars and several purple-flowering raspberries, just to name a few.”

Purdue’s West Lafayette campus is home to nearly 11,000 trees of more than 400 different varieties. 

Sources: Michael Gulich, director of campus master planning and sustainability, 765-494-7030

Paul Siciliano, professor of horticulture and landscape architecture and director of the Purdue Arboretum, 765-494-1346

Note to Journalists: Attendees must wear closed-toe shoes, and the event location may be reached from McCormick Road via Airport Road or Third Street. If there is severe weather in the area, the event may be delayed or canceled. If a significant delay or cancelation is required, that information will be posted at www.purdue.edu/physicalfacilities by 10 a.m. today.