By Regina Perez

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – UTRGV commemorated another year of being designated as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution during this year’s Arbor Day celebration.

The Tree Campus Higher Education designation recognizes colleges and universities around the country that align themselves with sustainable forestry management and practices.

Known as the tree planter’s holiday, Arbor Day is a day for people to come together in recognition of the wonders of trees. The celebration was held in November on the UTRGV Edinburg Campus.

A tree planting ceremony commemorating Texas Arbor Day organized by the UTRGV Office for Sustainability on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 at the Chapel Lawn in Edinburg, Texas. The City of Edinburg presented a proclamation marking the occasion and UTRGV is designated Tree Campus USA for the 10th year in a row by the Arbor Day Foundation. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

“Every year we come together and plant trees, it is a symbol of our commitment to a sustainable future, a small act that will go a long way,” said UTRGV Chief Sustainability Officer Marianella Franklin during Arbor Day opening remarks. “This year is special as it marks our tenth Tree Campus Higher Education designation.”

Dr. Alexis Racelis, assistant professor at the School of Earth Environmental and Marine Sciences, announced the return of tree inventory projects in his urban forestry courses, during the ceremony.

“Ten years ago, students in my urban forestry course conducted a tree inventory, which helped the university get its first Tree Campus Higher Education designation,” he said. “It is now time to assess the changes in forestry throughout the years, a great service-learning opportunity.”

The ceremony concluded with the UTRGV facilities grounds and maintenance crew planting a Nacahuita tree on the Chapel Lawn on the UTRGV Edinburg Campus.

To learn more about UTRGV’s Tree Campus USA designation and UTRGV Arbor Day, visit the Office for Sustainability website.