Planting Seeds of Change: Students Flourish Through Tree Campus Higher Education

At colleges and universities across the nation, the Tree Campus Higher Education program is nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards. Through hands-on projects, like tree plantings, ecosystem restoration, and urban forestry efforts, students are building the skills needed to address environmental challenges on a larger scale while improving their campuses.

For many, this program serves as a launching pad into careers in conservation, sustainability, and environmental advocacy. With leadership opportunities, and real-world sustainability initiatives, students are gaining invaluable experiences that shape their futures and leave a lasting impact on their communities.

For Elizabeth Barnes, the Tree Campus Higher Education program was more than an initiative—it was an opportunity to bring people together and inspire a shared commitment to the health of the planet through trees.

In 2019, as a graduate student of Forest Science at Michigan Technological University (MTU), she was asked to help form the university’s first-ever Campus Tree Advisory Committee to pursue Tree Campus certification. She and her fellow committee members dedicated the year to developing a Tree Care Plan, an operating budget, and community engagement initiatives, officially earning MTU’s Tree Campus recognition in January 2020. One of the highlights of their efforts was a Tree Walk, an interactive event that featured guided and self-guided tours of trees across campus, an Arbor Day poetry reading, and a visit to MTU’s research Rhizotron, where students viewed tree roots through a glass-sided underground chamber.

After graduating with a PhD in Forest Science in 2021, Elizabeth went on to become the District Silviculturist for the Payette National Forest in Idaho. Looking back on her experience, she sees the Tree Campus program as an integral part of her journey. 

"The outcome of Arbor Day celebrations and Tree Campus certifications goes beyond planting trees. By coming together to make a plan, gather resources, and reach out to our neighbors, we form community connections, empower people, and enhance our outdoor spaces." 

At the University of Texas at Austin, Claire Alston found that the Tree Campus program promoted a culture of sustainability and community. As a member of the Campus Tree Advisory Committee from 2021 to 2024, she played an active role in connecting students with the university’s urban forest.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her experience was the annual community tree plantings. These events brought students together with UT Austin’s Landscape Services team, a group of dedicated professionals committed to maintaining the university’s green spaces.  

Claire’s passion for sustainability didn’t stop at UT Austin. Today, she works with UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, helping to build their Sustainability program—which includes maintaining the institution’s credentials as both a Tree Campus Healthcare and Tree Campus Higher Education facility.

“Working with the Arbor Day Foundation, first as a student and now as full-time campus staff, has been such a great full circle experience. The Tree Campus program has helped both campuses I have worked with remain good stewards of our environment and contribute to a campus culture that is committed to sustainability and urban resilience.” 

For John Guziejka, the Tree Campus program opened a path to urban forestry and arboriculture education—one that shaped his career and helped him find his passion for teaching others about urban forestry.

One of the most memorable moments from his time in the program came during the 2020 Arbor Day Celebration at the University of Central Florida (UCF). That year, UCF was awarded “Most Outstanding Tree Protection Ordinance” by the Florida Urban Forestry Council. The award was especially meaningful because the ordinance itself was inspired by Tree Campus requirements, which encouraged John and his team to develop a Canopy Care Plan. While developing this plan, UCF created a "points mitigation system" that prioritized historic and specimen trees while allowing for flexible urban tree protection measures.

Now, John is helping to shape the next generation of urban forestry professionals as an ISA Certified Arborist and the Manager of Natural Resources Programs at the University of Central Florida.  

“My love and dedication to the field of arboriculture began with my first Tree Campus application. It opened my eyes to how impactful, necessary, rewarding, and interesting the field of urban forestry could be.” 

These stories exemplify the transformative power of Tree Campus Higher Education —not just on students, but on entire communities and the future of urban forestry. By providing practical experiences, fostering leadership, and instilling a lifelong passion for trees, the program is shaping the environmental leaders of tomorrow.

The impact of Tree Campus Higher Education extends far beyond individual campuses. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or a member of a local community group, you can be a part of this movement. Learn more about how your campus can join the program and take action for trees today.