New Brunswick, N.J. (April 18, 2013) – Students and staff at Rutgers University planted trees donated by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota this morning, in celebration of the university's commitment to tree care and conservation. Rutgers University is working toward Tree Campus USA recognition.
Today's volunteer activity is one of a series of hands-on tree planting events sponsored by the Foundation and Toyota during the spring of 2013.
The event is also supported by Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American, college-educated women, as part of a broader campaign to recruit and train environmental leaders. Companion events include tree plantings at the University of Florida and Alabama A&M University.
Today, 50 trees were planted on College Farm Road on campus.
"This Arbor Day celebration underscores our efforts to provide a well-managed campus landscape for the education and enjoyment of our students, particularly as we rebuild teaching collections in the aftermath of several storms," said Jason Grabosky, associate professor of urban forestry in the Department of Ecology Evolution and Natural Resources. "It provides service opportunities for student organizations, and enables the conversations of stewardship and passing along a safe and functional landscape for those students to come, which is the essence of sustainability."
Launched in 2008 with generous support from Toyota, Tree Campus USA has grown to include nearly 200 colleges and universities, and participating campuses invested $23 million in tree care last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.
###
About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org, or by visiting us on Facebook at facebook.com/arborday or Twitter at twitter.com/arborday.
About Toyota: Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs over 31,000 in the United States and its investment here is currently valued at more than $19.5 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.
Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. To date, Toyota has contributed nearly $700 million to philanthropic programs in the United States.
For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/philanthropy.
About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college-educated women. It is comprised of over 265,000 members in 969 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan, Germany, South Korea and on the continent of Africa. Its membership includes distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and are involved in the global community through advocacy and service. Alpha Kappa Alpha has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for citizens worldwide and promoting peace. The organization is led by its 28th International President Carolyn House Stewart of Tampa, Florida whose administration's programmatic theme is "Global Leadership Through Timeless Service." For more information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., log on to www.aka1908.com.