For the fourth year in a row, California Baptist University was selected as a member of the Tree Campus USA program.
Since 2014, CBU’s campus has been acknowledged for its beauty and thriving population of trees alongside schools such as Northern Arizona University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
The purpose of the Tree Campus USA program is to recognize colleges and universities that admirably maintain their trees on campus, involve their students in service projects and opportunities, and engage with their surrounding communities.
There are five standards that must be met to become a member of the Tree Campus USA program. According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, the school must have a campus tree advisory committee, a campus tree care plan, a campus tree program with dedicated annual expenditures, an Arbor Day observance and a service learning project. CBU fulfills each of those prerequisites.
“A great amount of detail and time is put into the maintenance of the school grounds here at CBU,” said Steve Smith, director of Facilities and Planning Services.The maintenance staff is kept busy year-round, always working on new projects and keeping up with the facilities on campus.
Students have not failed to appreciate and enjoy the school’s diverse selection of flowers and trees. While the trees can provide quiet places to hide away and study, they also prove to be the perfect tools for hammock hanging.
“The palm trees, in particular, are super cool because they give the school personality and great hammock spots,” said Jake Driscoll, freshman graphic design and digital media major.
Other students said they appreciate the trees for their natural beauty.
“The massive amount of palm trees make the school feel tropical and very ‘Californian.’ The mixture of plants, flowers, and trees beautify the campus as a whole,” said Louise Ponla, freshman health science major.
CBU’s efforts to beautify the campus helps it remain nationally recognized for its urban forests and lush greenery.
