Northeast Texas Community College recently received the Tree Campus USA Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation for the second year in a row. This program recognizes two and four-year colleges and universities that maintain a campus to promote healthy trees and student learning with regards to the importance of trees to our environment.
The reward colleges to develop a tree care plan, annual student service learning tree projects and an annual Arbor Day observance. Led by Jim Ward, Professor of Biology, NTCC earned this award through the bond program plaza plan. This included the planting of more than 40 new trees and two service-learning projects conducted by students in NTCC Biology II courses.
“We worked closely with our plant services department to determine areas of need on the campus. We are especially grateful to Tom Ramler, Director of Plant Services, who has been instrumental in the project,” Ward said. “It has been very rewarding for my biology students to be part of something hands-on that will have a lasting impact on the NTCC campus long after they have graduated.”
One project tackled the infestation of mistletoe in an oak tree in the plaza that was in critical condition. The second project involved students identifying the species of trees on campus to create an identification chart. Additionally, a group of honors students worked together to develop a Campus Tree Care Plan for future use by campus administration. The culmination of these events in 2017 qualified NTCC for the award in which we were awarded.
