IU Columbus was fortunate to be able to participate in activities for the Tree Campus Higher Education 2020 recognition. Since we were under constraints from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Arbor Day Foundation allowed alternative celebrations. This year we created a Facebook page, a virtual tree walk, an interactive GIS map of our campus trees and names, and we were able to plant three new state trees - the Tulip tree.
This recognition will help us to communicate our campus commitment to ecological sustainability by providing external validation of the directed efforts put forth by faculty, staff and students over many years toward increasing and conserving tree coverage on our campus. The designation will emphasize our continued dedication towards creating and maintaining natural spaces that will benefit our campus, our community and the world at large. Rather than merely an aspiration, the recognition will formalize and affirm that environmental conservation is now a part of the IU Columbus identity. It potentially will help us obtain funding for future environmental conservation and education projects by demonstrating that we have a proven record of results.
Here is a link to our virtual campus tree tour: Campus Trees
As an example of our GIS tree map, the common names of our trees can be identified using the legend located bottom left. Going forward we can add labels, the health of the trees, growth, and much more. We will also be able to add or subtract new tree coverage. Here are some photos of the GIS map that we have created.
Here is the general area of the tree coverage
