Purdue to celebrate achievement of 1869 Tree Planting Master Plan, receives Tree Campus USA Award for 15th consecutive year

Over the past four years, the Grounds department, along with numerous campus partners, have dedicated much time and effort to achieving the 1869 Tree Planting Master Plan goal to plant 3,738 new trees on campus between July 2020 and July 2024. This initiative is part of the 2020 Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan. The total number of trees was determined by doubling 1,869, which represents the year Purdue was founded.

To celebrate the conclusion of these efforts, the university will hold a ceremonial event to plant the final tree. The event will be held June 11 from 1:30-2 p.m. in front of the Wilmeth Active Learning Center, and the campus community is encouraged to attend. Purdue President Mung Chiang will give remarks, along with other university leaders, and the president will plant the final tree. Light refreshments will be available for attendees.

In addition to meeting the tree planting goal, Purdue University has received the Tree Campus USA Award for the 15th consecutive year. The award recognizes college campuses committed to fostering a healthy environment for trees and green space.

“The Administrative Operations organization recognizes the importance of having healthy trees and green spaces on campus and understands how beneficial they are for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” said Associate Vice President Ryan Gallagher “Our Grounds department, with the support of several campus partners, including Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability and the Purdue Arboretum, have continued to put their all into meeting the award criteria and achieving the certification, continually demonstrating their commitment to enhancing and maintaining Purdue’s campus.”

The university was officially presented with the award during the annual Purdue Day of Service, which was part of a monthlong celebration of Earth Day. The Grounds department, the Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability department, the Purdue Arboretum, the Forestry department and the Purdue for Life Foundation hosted the event on April 26. Volunteers helped plant 286 native trees at Horticulture Park.

“We are very appreciative of our volunteers who help us enhance the campus landscape and meet our goal,” explained Phil Richey, director of the Grounds department. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Purdue for Life Foundation, focusing on keeping the momentum going in engaging the community and providing opportunities to make a long-lasting difference on our campus.”

After five years of dedicated effort toward achieving the master plan goal, the Grounds department will continue to manage the overall health of each tree through the Campus Tree Care Plan and tree preservation processes. The department will also continue planting new trees in an effort to increase diversity as campus changes and grows.

“The past few years have been incredibly rewarding for the Grounds department. The hard work, time and dedication invested in achieving this goal are a testament to our commitment to enhancing and diversifying Purdue’s landscape,” said Richey.

For more information about tree planting efforts on campus, please review a recent Purdue Today article.

Grounds and Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability are part of the Administrative Operations organization. Administrative Operations supports the university through safe, reliable and transformative services. Fostering a healthy environment for trees to thrive is just one way the organization continues to power Purdue.