MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University has met the Tree Campus Higher Education standards for 8 years now. WOU is one of just eight higher education campuses in Oregon that obtained this recognition. Acquiring and maintaining this status has created many opportunities and has helped improve, maintain and celebrate our campus trees. 

To obtain this recognition, a campus has to meet the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus Higher Education, including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for a campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and the sponsorship of student service learning projects. We want to thank the members of the WOU Tree Advisory Committee who helped prepare the application materials for this recognition. The committee included current students, staff, faculty, and community members.

WOU is committed to planting and maintaining trees on campus that absorb carbon dioxide, mitigating the effects of climate change. We want to continue to create this green space for our students, faculty, staff and the entire WOU community to help provide mental health benefits as well as encourage physical activity. 

For more information about becoming a tree campus in higher education, visit https://www.arborday.org/programs/tree-campus-higher-education/#recognizedSection

About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, founded in 1856 in Monmouth, is the state’s oldest public university. Serving about 4,000 students, WOU is a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution with about 70% of the student population being from Oregon. A significant portion of attendees are members of under-represented groups, veterans, or non-traditional students. WOU is Oregon’s campus of choice for those seeking a transformative education in a supportive, student-centered learning community where classes are taught by faculty. Together we succeed.

Media contact
Brittany Kima, Public Information Officer
971-707-3273 | kimab@wou.edu