FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 13, 2018

Contact: Michelle Olgers, Marketing & Communications Dept., 804-524-6964, molgers@vsu.edu or Erica Shambley, Marketing & Communications Dept., 804-524-5965, eshambley@vsu.edu

2017 Tree Campus USA Award Celebration

Who:              Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring
                        Virginia Senator Rosalyn R. Dance

What:             2017 Tree Campus USA Award Celebration

When:            Tuesday, April 17, 2018
                        9:00 a.m. to noon

At 11:00 a.m. there will be a presentation ceremony to recognize Virginia State University as a sustaining Tree Campus USA followed by a dedication of the Sycamore Tree planted in 2015. Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring and Virginia Senator Rosalyn R. Dance will attend the celebration.

Where:           The plaza (lawn) in front of the Gateway Complex
                        Virginia State University Campus    

Why: 

The Arbor Day Foundation has awarded Virginia State University the 2017 Tree Campus USA Award. VSU first received the award in 2015 when the Arbor Day Foundation named VSU a “Tree Campus USA University” for its dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship. The initiative was led by the Joel Koci from the College of Agriculture. Koci formed a committee in collaboration with faculty, Facilities, Police and Public Safety, and community groups.

In recognition of this year’s honor, the Tree Campus USA committee has planned morning events at the Gateway Complex.  The events will focus on water quality, sustainable food and goatscaping, an environmentally friendly alternative to property clearing and weed removal. A living wall of flowers and strawberries will also be created.

This celebration marks the fourth time VSU will receive this honor. The university is only one of three post-secondary institutions in Virginia to be recognized. To receive the Tree Campus USA designation, a college or university campus must meet five requirements:

• • • Establish an advisory committee—consisting of students, faculty, facilities and a community representative—that meets quarterly to help maintain the campus urban forest.
    • Develop a campus tree care plan that outlines proper maintenance of the urban forest to allow for replanting to replace trees that die.
    • Allocate annual dedicated expenses of $3.00 per full-time student. These funds are dedicated to the perpetuation of the campus urban forest.
    • Hold an Arbor Day celebration.
    • Hold a service/learning project.
      
      This award recognizes VSU’s commitment to the environment and gives students a sense of pride in their campus.      

Directions:     Arriving by I-95 South from Richmond, Washington, DC., etc.

Follow 1-95 South to Petersburg. Take exit (Temple Ave). Turn left at Temple Ave. and continue to second traffic light (Boulevard). Turn left at Boulevard and continue to fourth traffic light (Dupuy Ave). Turn right at Dupuy Ave., which changes to River Rd. The campus will be on your left. Enter at Matthew-Jefferson Dr. and turn into first parking lot on your left. Cross over pedestrian bridge to the Gateway Complex.

Arriving by U. S. 460 from Suffolk (East)/ Roanoke (West)/ I-85 North / I-95 North

Exit in Petersburg at Washington St. Turn left on Washington St and continue to Sycamore St. Turn right at Sycamore St. and continue to end of street (Old St.). Turn left at Old St. (changes to Grove Ave.) and continue on Grove Ave. to University Blvd. Turn right at University Blvd. and cross Appomattox River Bridge. Turn right at University Ave. to campus. Follow signs for Gateway Complex.

Founded in 1882, Virginia State University is one of Virginia’s two land-grant institutions and is located 20 minutes south of Richmond in the village of Ettrick.

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